Questions about health and finance were at the forefront of U.S. Rep. Matthew Cartwright’s virtual town hall meeting Wednesday night. The meeting was organized to give residents an opportunity to get answers directly from experts in medicine and finance.

Residents could watch the meeting online at cartwright.house.gov and ask questions, or call in ahead of time to sign up to attend.

Questions ranged from how long the coronavirus pandemic could this last and school closings to financial assistance for small business and unemployment compensation.

Dr. Gary Decker, an infectious disease specialist in Wilkes-Barre, said that typical wintertime viruses run a course of eight to 12 weeks. They peak at six weeks and gradually the number of cases decrease over the next six weeks, until the infection rate is done at 12 weeks. The novel coronavirus is just that - new. They don’t know for certain how it behaves, but they anticipate that it could run a similar pattern.

“Dr. (Anthony) Fauci (the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) is very concerned about the early re-entry of people,” Decker said.

If people go back to work and school before the disease runs the course, then there is a threat for a second cycle of infection. When that happens, there is usually a short period of no infection and then the eight to 12-week cycle of infection begins again.

“I think we have to be very concerned about it,” he said.

Another resident asked if people should be concerned about the virus being on the products they purchase in the store. The National Institutes of Health and Human Services has said that the virus can live on plastic and stainless steel for two to three days, and on cardboard for 24 hours.

Decker recommended that out of an abundance of caution, grocery bags be discarded and not kept for use in other ways in the home. He also suggested that, when possible, food should be removed from its packaging and put inside a storage container. For things that can’t be removed until it’s time to use them, he said to clean it with a sanitizer wipe and discard the wipes. Don’t touch food with the sanitizer.

“In general, the supermarket is safe to go in and do your shopping,” he said.

Decker also recommended that if a person has a lung illness or impairment or underlying health issue, then he or she should ask a friend or family member to go to the store for them.

“Maximize your safety,” he said.

As for residents’ financial concerns, one resident asked if there were any other programs, other than loans, available to small businesses that already have debt and now had to close.

Keith Yurgosky, a business consultant at the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center, said the first thing a business or individual should do is to reach out to their banks and ask if payments can be deferred or if the interest rate could be cut in half. Many utilities are also willing to work with people. As for people who rent a house or a place for their business, he suggested that they ask if the rent could be temporarily reduced.

Cartwright said Congress is looking at issues involving lowering credit card interest, halting mortgage foreclosures, and preventing people’s credit scores from being damaged due to financial constraints.

“These are things that need to be sorted out,” he said. “We ought to have a moratorium on all of these things, so people can get back on their feet.”

Cartwright said the $2 trillion stimulus package is in addition to people’s unemployment compensation benefits and that people on Social Security are also eligible to receive money from the package.

At the time of the town meeting, the stimulus package had not yet passed in the U.S. Senate, but did pass the next morning. Single adults making less than $75,000 a year will receive $1,200. Couples making less than $150,000 will receive $2,400. Families with children will receive $500 per child. Smaller amounts are available for people with slightly higher incomes.

Cartwright said his website has dependable information on it about the virus with links to medical information and answers to questions regarding veterans’ and seniors’ issues, housing, jobs and the economy, and much more. His office is also taking questions at 570-341-1050 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cartwright plans to have another town hall meeting, and information about that date will be on his website.