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House and Senate Democratic leadership requests testing for legislators and staff potentially exposed to COVID-19

By Staff | Dec 11, 2020

House and Senate Democratic leadership requests testing for legislators and staff potentially exposed to COVID-19. Officials sent Gov. Chris Sununu the following letter:

His Excellency Christopher T. Sununu

Governor of New Hampshire

107 North Main Street

Concord, NH 03301

December 10, 2020

Dear Governor Sununu,

In the past 24 hours, we learned that Speaker Dick Hinch passed away from COVID-19 and that a staff member in the State House tested positive. New Hampshire has also surpassed 25,000 cases and daily case numbers are hitting unprecedented highs. New Hampshire currently leads every state in New England in positive test rates, increasing over 50% in the last 2 weeks. The deaths of Granite Staters have increased by 289% and hospitalizations by 84%, a striking statistic memorializing lives who should be remembered as so much more than a number.

We know that medical staff continue to work around the clock to help us all battle this virus together. The reality is that Granite Staters from every corner of New Hampshire are currently struggling to access COVID-19 testing. Our State House staff and their safety is of paramount importance to us as leaders in the legislature. No one, in any job, should have to fear for their health at work. Like many essential workers across the state, State House staff have risked their health and lives to ensure that the operations of state government have continued throughout the pandemic.

In light of more confirmed cases in the State House, we are asking that the Governor’s Office, along with the Department of Health, work to provide accessible testing to all State House staff who want and need it to feel comfortable continuing their work. In addition, we ask that you make testing available to all legislators who attended Organization Day at UNH last week. As you also know best, the legislature and entire state government cannot function without dedicated state employees and it is our duty to protect them and all legislators from undo harm.

Please keep us apprised of how we can accomplish this together.

Signed,

House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing

Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy

CC:

Commissioner Lori Shibinette, DHHS

Dr. Jonathan Ballard, Chief Medical Officer DHHS

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