While the world takes precautions against the spread of coronavirus, Congress is adapting, too.  As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, 6^th District Congressman Greg Pence says his colleagues are watching their health while passing measures to help the country.

“If you’re not well and you’re over 60, stay home.”

That’s Republican Greg Pence.  He’s in his Indiana district this week, but is learning of new safety measures for when he returns to Washington.  That’s because, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service, the average age of House members in the current Congress is about 57-and-a-half years old.  For senators, it’s nearly 63 years old.

“There would be extraordinary measures of how we would vote when we go to the floor and vote.  And that would just be, you know, 10 people at a time, I suppose, go and vote.”

Pence supported the coronavirus support package that’s passed the House and will now be considered by the Senate.  He says with that, our next focus should turn to the economy, especially small businesses.

“Currently we’re probably in pretty good shape in the health and safety, but we’re very concerned about small businesses going forward.  Can they survive?  If those small businesses can’t survive, those employees will not have jobs to come back to.”

Read More: NPR Poll: Nearly 1 In 5 Households Have Lost Work Because Of Pandemic

And as for the other Pence – his brother, Vice President Mike Pence – the Congressman says he’s doing well leading the country’s coronavirus response and is “the right man at the right time.”