At Norton Brownsboro Hospital, where @senatemajldr is appearing with @Norton_Health President & CEO Russ Cox and Norton Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Hester to talk about CARES Act and its impact on Kentucky.

Cox: Feeling optimistic. Touts work testing and operating state COVID hotline. Thanks his employees - the frontline workers - and says they did not lay off anyone or reduce anyone’s pay. “Just yesterday they got another call to help a nursing home,” he says. “They stepped up.”

Cox also notes how much healthcare has changed for patients, from hospital entry procedures to visitor limits. Says more than 50 people have benefited from plasma transfers. “We’ve always felt we had the capacity to take car of patients,” he says.

Cox thanks @senatemajldr for help going back to opioid crisis, says Sen. McConnell “stepped up during the pandemic.” Notes how much lack of elective surgeries crippled hospital finances and says CARES Act helped.

Now speaking, @senatemajldr says this is his first public appearance in Kentucky since March 13.

McConnell says CARES Act started in his office with consultation from @realDonaldTrump and Democrats. Says they acted much more quickly than government did to Spanish flu, notes unanimous passage within one week, which “in today’s Washington is totally unheard of.”

As for the next federal aid package, @senatemajldr calls for liability protection. Says 1100 lawsuits have already been filed related to COVID-19 outbreak.

“There is every effort being made to get us to a vaccine as soon as possible,” @senatemajldr says.

Asked about @GovAndyBeshear’s handling of COVID-19 outbreak, @senatemajldr says “I think the governor is doing an excellent job.” Praises decision to end elective surgery ban and to reopen ban.

“Completely outrageous and unacceptable,” is how @senatemajldr describes hanging effigy of @GovAndyBeshear at protest this past weekend at Kentucky’s Capitol.

Asked about conspiracy theories and some people’s unwillingness to take COVID-19 seriously, @senatemajldr does not want to comment.

Asked about whether $3 trillion size of Dems package is deal breaker, or whether lack of liability protection is real issue, @senatemajldr says “We are not passing a $3 trillion package... Liability reform doesn’t cost anything.”