Hassan opts to stay in DC to avoid potentially exposing her son to COVID-19 – WMUR Manchester

Sen. Maggie Hassan is opting not to come back to New Hampshire amid the coronavirus outbreak.>> Download the FREE WMUR appHassan will stay in Washington, D.C., to try to avoid potentially exposing her son, Ben, to COVID-19.He's a great young man but he has cerebral palsy and a compromised respiratory system, Hassan said.A bout of pneumonia two years ago required surgery and intensive care. For Ben Hassan, coronavirus could be devastating.>> COVID-19 in New Hampshire: What you need to knowTo me, this whole issue of social distancing is about much more than just making sure each of us doesn't get the virus. It's about unknowingly transmitting the virus to somebody who's at really high risk, like my son Ben, Hassan said.Hassan said those most at risk could require multiple health care providers and expensive specialized treatment that could overwhelm the medical system at a time when supplies are limited.>> Latest coronavirus coverage from WMURWe are seeing in New Hampshire our health care professionals are asking for contributions, donations of personal protective gear. That's unacceptable. It's especially unacceptable in our country, Hassan said.Hassan is pushing for President Donald Trump to implement the Defense Production Act he invoked this week.We have manufacturers who are slowing production. We have workers who want to be on the front lines and help, Hassan said.Hassan said when people think of social distancing, they should think of those most at risk like her son. She said it's important for everybody to keep their distance from each other and cancel plans to be in large groups for now.

Sen. Maggie Hassan is opting not to come back to New Hampshire amid the coronavirus outbreak.

>> Download the FREE WMUR app

Hassan will stay in Washington, D.C., to try to avoid potentially exposing her son, Ben, to COVID-19.

He's a great young man but he has cerebral palsy and a compromised respiratory system, Hassan said.

A bout of pneumonia two years ago required surgery and intensive care. For Ben Hassan, coronavirus could be devastating.

>> COVID-19 in New Hampshire: What you need to know

To me, this whole issue of social distancing is about much more than just making sure each of us doesn't get the virus. It's about unknowingly transmitting the virus to somebody who's at really high risk, like my son Ben, Hassan said.

Hassan said those most at risk could require multiple health care providers and expensive specialized treatment that could overwhelm the medical system at a time when supplies are limited.

>> Latest coronavirus coverage from WMUR

We are seeing in New Hampshire our health care professionals are asking for contributions, donations of personal protective gear. That's unacceptable. It's especially unacceptable in our country, Hassan said.

Hassan is pushing for President Donald Trump to implement the Defense Production Act he invoked this week.

We have manufacturers who are slowing production. We have workers who want to be on the front lines and help, Hassan said.

Hassan said when people think of social distancing, they should think of those most at risk like her son. She said it's important for everybody to keep their distance from each other and cancel plans to be in large groups for now.

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Hassan opts to stay in DC to avoid potentially exposing her son to COVID-19 - WMUR Manchester