Representatives Ryan, Joyce hold town hall, answer coronavirus questions
U.S. Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Dave Joyce (R-OH) took part in a bipartisan town hall Tuesday night.
The representatives spoke on a number of coronavirus related topics including unemployment and the rising number of virus cases.
One of the questions asked why the country was so unprepared for a pandemic.
Representative Joyce said relying on China for PPE was one issue and hopes to see manufacturing of those products coming back to America. He believes that tax credits or deductions to businesses that start making PPE could help fix this.
When asked about reopening Ohio, Ryan and Joyce said that having testing and getting results quickly will be necessary. Both representatives stressed wearing a mask when out to help against the spread.
A viewer also asked about the extension of federal unemployment benefits and those that are making more through the benefits than at their jobs.
Ryan supports the extension of unemployment benefits at the rate of $600 because of the uncertainty of the marketplace.
He cited a Yale study that says 70% of people that had the opportunity to stay home and make more money on unemployment returned to work because they did not want to lose their job even though they are making less.
Ryan acknowledged that some may take advantage of the situation but some may have underlying health conditions and cannot go back to work yet.
The representatives also covered topics that include mental health and mail in voting concerns.
You can watch the full town hall by clicking this link.