Attorney General Mark Herring is urging congress to pass the Safeguarding America's First Responders (SAFR) Act. The act would provide federal health benefits to first responders and their families who are impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Max Gonano, the president of Virginia Beach Professional Firefighters said COVID-19 has changed the way first responders handle arrests, put out fires and treat patients. "Every patient contact we have, we're supposed to wear an N-95 respirator as well as eye protection," said Gonano.
Gonano expressed unique challenges first responders have faced during this pandemic.
"First responders have been on the front lines, still having hazardous contact with the public since the beginning and it's never stopped," said Gonano.