what was one step congress took during the covid-19 pandemic to lessen the blow to those impacted?

One major step Congress took was passing the CARES Act in March 2020, which sent direct stimulus payments (economic impact payments) to most Americans to help them cover lost income and basic expenses during the COVID‑19 shutdowns.

In simple terms:

• Many adults received a one‑time check from the federal government.
• This money was meant to “lessen the blow” of job losses, reduced hours, and business closures caused by the pandemic.

If you need another example (like unemployment benefits or small‑business loans), I can add one more clear step too.