ISSA Coronavirus Government Response Update—Treasury Secretary Calls for Passage of New Stimulus Package

Welcome to the ISSA Coronavirus Government Response Update. This information is intended to keep our members up to date on government affairs related to the cleaning industry and COVID-19. Today’s update touches on the U.S. Treasury Secretary calling for Congress to provide a new coronavirus stimulus package, ISSA members telling their federal elected officials to “return to the negotiating table,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issuing an emergency exemption for an antimicrobial product, and more.

Mnuchin: Congress Must Approve ‘Substantial Funds’ to Aid Recovery
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday called for Congress to provide a new coronavirus stimulus package, saying he would reach out to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to restart talks, United Press International reported. Appearing before the House select subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis, Mnuchin said a bipartisan agreement providing “substantial funds” for schools, testing, vaccines, small businesses, enhanced unemployment benefits, and the U.S. Postal Service is needed to help the economy recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tell Your Elected Officials to ‘Return to the Negotiating Table’
Despite bipartisan support for a new tax credit for cleaning and personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard benefits for essential frontline workers, and additional Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds for businesses, Congress continues to be at an impasse regarding a “Phase Four” stimulus agreement. Please take a moment to email, tweet, or call your elected officials using ISSA’s Action Center and urge them to “return to the negotiating table” to support a “safe and healthy workplace” tax credit, hazard benefits for essential workers, and additional PPP aid for businesses as part of the next federal stimulus package.

EPA Issues Emergency Exemption for Antimicrobial Product with Residual Claims against COVID-19
In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorized a public health emergency exemption under the provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to the Texas Department of Agriculture for use of an unregistered product, SurfaceWise®2, on nonporous, nonfood-contact surfaces to control the novel coronavirus for use by 27 American Airlines aircraft and airport facilities in Texas, as well as Total Orthopedics Sports and Spine, also in Texas. According to the EPA, SurfaceWise®2 inactivates SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces for up to seven days. After reviewing the available data and information, the EPA determined that the product in question will help address the current national emergency related to the pandemic. 

NIOSH Webpage Highlights CDC Guidance for Chemical Disinfectants
Now that cleaning service providers are applying disinfectants on a more frequent basis, it is more important than ever to follow safe work practices to avoid harmful exposures and adverse health effects. A new U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) webpage, Hazard Communication for Disinfectants Used Against Viruses, provides information on health hazards that could be caused by cleaning products and disinfectants. Also included are recommendations for barriers and respiratory protection that workers can use to protect themselves from these hazards.

Maryland Will Allow All Businesses to Open as the State Enters Stage Three of Recovery Plan
Marylanders soon may be able to go to the movies and to see live concerts, after Governor Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that all businesses—including entertainment venues—can reopen starting Friday, according to The Baltimore Sun. With the announcement, the Republican governor moved the state partially into the third and final stage of his administration’s plan for relaxing restrictions that were put in place to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Hogan said at his Maryland State House news conference that the time was right to relax restrictions.

Other links of interest

• Save Your Seat: A Government Affairs Update on the Cleaning Industry & COVID-19
• Registration Now Open: Cleaning Products – A Regulatory Review
• Take ISSA’s 2020 Advocacy Survey
• EPA Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Coronavirus Resources