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KING 5 poll: 1 in 4 Americans have hours reduced during coronavirus outbreak

An exclusive KING 5 poll found many Americans are working from home either full time or part time, with others losing hours.

SEATTLE — One in four Americans who took an exclusive KING 5 news poll say their hours at work were reduced as a result of the nation's response to the coronavirus.

Approximately 160 million people in the country were employed two months ago. 

Of the 593 adults surveyed who work outside their home, 26% say their hours were reduced; 9% say they have been laid off; 2% say they have lost their job completely. 

RELATED: Washington state working to keep up with sharp spike in unemployment claims due to coronavirus

Twenty-six percent of the total surveyed say they are working from home at least part time. The majority, 56%, say they are no longer working in their place of employment.

Members of President Donald Trump's economic team are convening on Capitol Hill to launch negotiations with Senate Republicans and Democrats racing to draft a $1 trillion-plus economic rescue package amid the coronavirus outbreak.  

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has unveiled a sweeping economic rescue plan to pump $1,200 checks directly to taxpayers, $300 billion for small businesses to keep idled workers on payroll and $208 billion in loans to industries.

The negotiations are certain to encounter difficulties ahead, as some Republicans object and Democrats say it doesn't go far enough.  

RELATED: Map: Tracking the coronavirus outbreak in Washington state

What are coronavirus symptoms?

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the flu or colds. Symptoms include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

The severity of symptoms ranges significantly. Some cases are very mild with symptoms similar to the common cold, and some cases are more like severe pneumonia that require hospitalization. Most deaths have been reported in older adults who had other health conditions, according to DOH.

Symptoms may appear as soon as two days after being exposed to the coronavirus or as long as 14 days.

A new Washington call center has been set up to answer your questions about COVID-19. If you have questions about how the virus spreads, what is being done in Washington state, and what you can do if you have symptoms, call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

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