By Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Tom Reed The Problem Solvers Caucus -- 50 members of Congress, half Democrats and half Republicans, from across America -- has met via video conference nearly every day to debate and govern during the coronavirus pandemic. In recent days, we've turned to a common theme in our Zoom meetings: the health challenges that must be overcome to safely and quickly reopen the country and minimize the economic hurricane coming ashore. The health and economic rescue package signed into law last week will certainly help people and businesses in the short run. But there is only so long we can go on this way. We are proposing the following framework to provide light in the darkness ahead. First, we must ensure the health crisis is safely managed and America is safe enough to re-open. We must objectively demonstrate that our health care system can meet the needs of our people, both day-to-day and in case new "hot zones" develop in the future. To achieve this, we will need mass testing with rapid results, at least 750,000 a week. We need to test for antibodies, known as serological testing, because if you've had the virus, even asymptotically, it appears unlikely that you'll get it again -- and you may be able to go back to work safely. Here's the good news: In the last week, the Food and Drug Administration is cranking out approvals for large-scale, rapid testing, including ones that can be done in a matter of minutes. This will help us identify "hot spots," allow us to flatten the curve, and manage the future progression of the virus. We also need mass production of personal protective equipment, not only for our front-line health care workers and first responders, who are putting their lives on the line to protect us, but also to use in grocery stores, ride-sharing vehicles and others jobs where you have close contact. Thankfully, large quantities of these items -- from masks to gloves -- are becoming available every day, but we still face a shortage of ventilators and other essential goods. We need to replenish our Strategic National stockpile at a reasonable level, increase hospital bed capacity to handle another potential outbreak, and add more health care workers -- doctors, nurses and technicians -- to meet growing demand. Health care workers need relief Our front-line health care workers are exhausted and becoming infected themselves. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Defense Department are pitching in with medics wherever they can, and retirees are volunteering, but that's only a temporary fix. We need to mitigate our long-term staffing challenges. ►Second, we must keep our businesses in business to protect the paychecks of workers who desperately need them, and continue to provide unemployment checks to our workforce that has been displaced. The CARES Act certainly will help, but time is not on our side, especially for small businesses. We may need a fourth emergency package, especially if the virus keeps doors closed longer than expected or if we need to address gaps in our earlier legislation. We may also need longer-term stimulus investment, such as a significant infrastructure package as we have called on for some time. ►Third, we must anticipate the challenges associated with turning the lights back on. We can't let the pandemic crush one of America's greatest assets: the collective training, skill-set, grit, know-how and connectivity that has enabled our workers and businesses to flourish. Even with the CARES Act, many of our businesses -- small, medium and large -- will face a serious liquidity shortage, and with America sequestered, a lack of demand for their products and services. Rebuild critical supply chains The COVID-19 outbreak has exposed deep vulnerabilities and highlighted the urgency of shoring up critical supply chains. Over several decades, vital American manufacturing operations have moved overseas -- from medical devices and equipment -- to pharmaceuticals. Reversing this trend won't be easy. It will take serious policy changes to help reverse it. ►Finally, the current crisis is straining local, state and federal governments far beyond what we initially predicted. The precipitous drop in economic activity has cratered sales tax, income tax and even property taxes, while the demands on government are causing the spending side to balloon. We must help stabilize all levels of government, or it will further threaten the delivery of vital services. Our federal government also will need to figure out a long-term way to debate and vote virtually. In the end, it's clear we cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach. It's important that we assess the threat of the virus region by region and consider reopening in phases or by industry. Denser city populations will have demands that rural America will not, and vice versa. Certain businesses lend themselves easier to social distancing, and others don't. Regardless of the scenario, the more we plan and execute today, the better off we will be tomorrow. We must come together, work together and stand together -- socially distanced, of course -- to put country over political party. That's the way to beat this virus and the economic storm gathering on the horizon. Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, and Tom Reed, R-New York, are co-chairs of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

By Josh Gottheimer and Tom Reed Nearly 50 members of Congress from the Problem Solvers Caucus -- half Democrat and half Republican -- spent the last week drawing up an initial roadmap with one overarching objective: We need an immediate rescue and revival plan not only to address the health crisis, but also to see the economy through the seismic earthquake hitting every American and every business today. If we take the right actions now, we'll have the tools to reboot the economy and get America back to work. This earthquake was not caused by the bad actions or nefarious actions of any American. Mother Nature threw us a huge curveball and now, together, we must overcome it. These are not bailouts to anyone or to any business. We are Americans standing together with our fellow Americans. First, we have millions of people who are suddenly out of work and with literally no income, spanning from hourly workers waiting tables to gig workers driving an Uber. The two weeks of paid family leave we passed into law will run out before we know it. That's why the Problem Solvers Caucus supports a significant expansion of unemployment insurance during the crisis, so we can get immediate, direct payments to all low-and-mid income Americans. Second, we need to keep as many people employed as possible, or, at least, furloughed with their benefits, so they can go back to work immediately when this is over. To make that happen, we should give businesses, of all sizes, who are willing to keep or furlough their employees, access to low-or-zero interest, long-term loans. We should provide tax incentives to those businesses that are keeping their employees with health care coverage through this crisis. These actions will build on the loans we've already provided through the Small Business Administration. Third, we need to give all Americans and businesses, who need it, the flexibility to pay their bills, including their rent or mortgage. Landlords and banks will need to get paid eventually, but Americans need a little breathing room, and delayed payment shouldn't affect credit scores -- or risk any business or anyone getting thrown out of their homes. We're glad the IRS delayed filing and payment deadlines, and that students have more time to pay their student loans -- all things we called for in our plan. Finally, it's essential that we plan now for how to get America back to work. Whether it's early April or early May, or checkpoints along the way, we should have a clear date to shoot for, with clear benchmarks for what needs to be in place to reopen America. It may be phased, and should be regionally sensitive, but, clearly, we need a concrete set of objectives developed and adopted now. To protect our families, these must reflect learnings to date to ensure they are fully deployed and available for future demands. That includes the following:-Rapid coronavirus testing with massive capacity, so we know who has the virus and who has the antibodies and are potentially immune from exposure.-Supply chains, delivery systems and documented inventories for personal protective equipment, from masks to ventilators, for frontline medical workers and others in need.-Expanded US-based manufacturing of vital medical supplies and equipment-Commitment to medical research for treatment and future vaccines.-A demonstrated mobile hospitalization surge capability to treat any future outbreaks. There's no sugar-coating it, we have a few tough weeks ahead of us. Our heart breaks for all those affected by the virus, and we must do everything we can to cure our country. But, if we work together, stick together, and put politics aside, we will get through it. The sun will shine through the dark clouds, and America will be stronger than ever, ready for an economic revival like we have never seen before.

On March 28, 2020, Josh Gottheimer announced that he tested negative for COVID-19. He previously self-quarantined after a possible exposure risk to the virus. Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryDaily updatesElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsSubmit COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019.