NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, This week, Congress returned to Washington, D.C. to finish out the rest of the year. Unfortunately, rather than prioritizing the COVID-19 relief package or the 2021 budget, Speaker Pelosi prioritized legalizing marijuana and the Big Cat Public Safety Act, a bill popularized in the Netflix documentary Tiger King. Don’t get me wrong, there were some good bills passed this week; however, many of my constituents are facing a level of hardship not seen since the Great Depression. They deserve to be prioritized.
We’re still waiting on an official COVID-19 vaccine approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). I’ve been in contact with Governor Ron DeSantis’ office regarding vaccine distribution, and I’m confident that this will be a seamless process. I’ll send an update once the FDA approves a vaccine. The FDA will only approve vaccines that are safe and effective. I highly recommend getting the vaccine when it becomes available to you. Until then, please continue to use caution and be responsible during this holiday season.
Please read about my week below:
This Week in the District
Legislative Updates
Coronavirus Updates This Week in the District
A Huge Milestone for the District 
This week, the first Enviva shipment of wood pellets to Japan departed from the Port of Panama City. These pellets were manufactured in Cottondale from timber purchased from North Florida landowners. This is a huge milestone! This partnership between Enviva and the Port of Panama City will not only boost the local & state economy; it will provide alternatives to conventional power sources internationally. Read more here.
Online Security Tips for the Holidays
The holiday shopping season combined with the impending tax season and an increased trend toward working remotely make online security an absolute necessity.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), state tax agencies, and the nation's tax industry have issued some helpful tips on basic safeguards everyone should take, including: - Don't forget to use security software for computers and mobile phones – and keep it updated.
- Make sure purchased anti-virus software has a feature to stop malware, and there is a firewall that can prevent intrusions.
- Phishing scams – like imposter emails, calls, and texts -- are the No. 1-way thieves steal personal data. Don't open links or attachments on suspicious emails. This year, fraud scams related to COVID-19 and the Economic Impact Payment are common.
- Use strong and unique passwords for online accounts. Use a phrase or series of words that can be easily remembered or use a password manager.
- Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Many email providers and social media sites offer this feature. It helps prevents thieves from easily hacking accounts.
- Shop at sites where the web address begins with "https" – the "s" is for secure communications over the computer network. Also, look for the “padlock” icon in the browser window.
- Don't shop on unsecured public Wi-Fi in places like a mall. Remember, thieves can eavesdrop.
- At home, secure home Wi-Fis with a password. With more homes connected to the web, secured systems become more important, from wireless printers, wireless door locks to wireless thermometers. These can be access points for identity thieves.
- Back up files on computers and mobile phones. A cloud service or an external hard drive can be used to copy information from computers or phones – providing an important place to recover financial or tax data.
- Working from home? Consider creating a virtual private network (VPN) to securely connect to your workplace.
This is the first in a week-long series of tips to raise awareness about identity theft and online scams. See IRS.gov/securitysummit for more details.
Legislative Updates
Benefitting from Convalescent Plasma
This week, I joined my colleagues in a letter to the Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) regarding the collection of coronavirus convalescent plasma (CCP) for use as a treatment for COVID-19 patients.
In the letter, we emphasized the importance of making CCP available to all U.S. patients who need it. In addition, we respectfully requested that BARDA consider prioritizing funds for research to optimize CCP and that they continue to support U.S. blood centers for the cost of CCP production and associated antibody testing of CCP in order to expand availability and utility, including the cost associated with pathogen reduction treatment of CCP.
I hope this letter will help influence BARDA to make the correct decision in utilizing convalescent plasma so we can develop the best possible treatments for you and your family. Coronavirus Updates
Recent Updates - The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced that the fourth iteration of the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial (ACTT-4) has begun to enroll hospitalized adults with COVID-19 who require supplemental oxygen. The NIAID-sponsored trial will enroll up to 1,500 patients at approximately 100 sites in the United States and other countries. Read more here.
- As we approach the holiday season, we must take into consideration the proper precautions to protect ourselves, as well as our friends and family, from COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has a helpful guide that can help with planning holiday events. NOTE - These considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which holiday gatherings must comply. Read more here.
Thank you for your continued energy and enthusiasm, as reflected in your letters and Facebook posts. If you haven’t already, LIKE my Facebook page. You can also follow me on Twitter @DrNealDunnFL2. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in Congress!
Sincerely,
Dr. Neal Dunn
Member of Congress
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A veteran who was recently diagnosed with cancer contacted my office when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) didn’t process his community care authorization in time for his first treatment. We were able to work with the VA to have the authorization approved, and the veteran was able to promptly start their treatment.
Do you need help with a federal agency? Contact my office at 850-785-0812 or at www.dunn.house.gov
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