As we all continue doing our part to flatten the curve against the coronavirus, the news is ever- changing and tough to keep up with. It has been a challenge for everyone, whether you are quarantined at home or out as an essential worker. But one thing is constant here in Western New York: our community’s strength and resolve to rally around each other when times get tough. I have never been more impressed or inspired by the spirit of our community and the outpouring of positive stories of neighbors helping neighbors, and I’d like to thank you all for doing what you can to be good citizens.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to our essential and healthcare workers. A huge thank you all of you, including our nurses, doctors, and healthcare support staff, who have been working around the clock for the past few months. Your service will not be forgotten, and we all greatly appreciate everything you are doing to take care of your patients, the public and each other. Stay strong and stay safe.

Our first responders have also been working hard day and night, and because of the coronavirus they have had to cancel or postpone the fundraising events they rely on to raise operating revenue. I’m working to build a coalition of lawmakers to call on our federal government to include aid for them in the next stimulus package and I also introduced new legislation at our state Capitol to provide further relief.

In addition, I’ve been working to support our farmers who are working hard to keep food in our grocery stores. Working together with colleagues from across New York state, we called on state and federal leaders to take action — and they listened. Gov. Cuomo announced he is creating a special initiative to help stop milk dumping and allow more of our New York state produced food to get to market and feed people. This will help mitigate some lost revenue for our farmers, but more needs to be done and I’ll keep fighting to make sure it does.

Also, my office appreciated the calls and emails from constituents who are struggling because they can’t get their unemployment benefits. We have been helping them weave through this awful process the best we can. The state’s unemployment system has been a total fiasco, despite many attempts by the Department of Labor to correct it, and the bottom line is that too many people are still without the money they need to make ends meet. This is completely unacceptable and I will continue calling on the administration to fix the unemployment check system and demand that New Yorkers get these benefits on a timely basis going forward.

As we begin to restart our economy safely, I am also working to put together initiatives that can help support employers and their employees. For example, 4.2 million New Yorkers are employed by more than 600,000 small businesses in our state. Some of these businesses can offer the same safe social distancing offered at national big box stores that are currently allowed to be open, but because these stores do not fall into an “essential” category, they are closed even though they sell similar products as their big box competitor. Examples of this might include home goods, toy, appliance or clothing retailers. The state can also, at no cost, repurpose unallocated state settlement money and capital programs, like START-UP NY, to support our businesses now.

I also know many of you want to get out of the house and do something to help. Donating blood is a perfect opportunity. Recently I donated blood with ConnectLife and the process was safe and easy. I’m partnering with the American Red Cross to sponsor an event at the Rapids Fire Hall on May 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To make an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use the code Assemblyman Norris. If you can’t make this event but want to donate another time, you can make an appointment with either the Red Cross or ConnectLife online on their websites.

As always, I welcome your input and if you need to reach me and my office, you can email us at norrism@nyassembly.gov or call (716) 839-4691. Stay safe and keep looking forward to brighter days ahead.