As entire cities and states are seemingly shut down due to the coronavirus we know grocery stores are an essential part of our society. They remain open, but cashiers and workers stocking shelves are among those on the front lines risking their health to support our communities and earn their wages. Reports have started to come in that Kroger employees are getting sick from the coronavirus. But in the face of increased public criticism, Kroger, a $26 billion corporation, is refusing to provide paid sick leave for employees unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 or are placed in mandatory quarantine by a medical professional. Instead of taking a simple step of letting sick workers simply call in sick Kroger is refusing to use their enormous power to do the right thing for workers. Shockingly, Kroger's only real attempt to show workers any recognition is offering them a $25 Kroger gift card for their hard work! These are serious times. We must take action in solidarity with Kroger workers and the millions of customers who will be put at risk if sick workers are showing up sick while trying to earn a pay check. Kroger runs grocery chains including Ralph's, Harris Teeter, QFC, Smiths, Fred Meyer, and Dillons. They have a presence in all of our communities, and now we need to show up to support the workers who need us. Sign and share this petition.

During the COVID-19 crisis, we all have a responsibility towards our communities to keep ourselves healthy and avoid situations that can spread the virus. As of March 17th, the state of Florida will close all retail stores, bars, nightclubs and restaurants in order to help us uphold that responsibility, and most other businesses are asking teams to work remotely, or to pause work altogether. While this is a step in the right direction regarding public health, the effects of these sweeping business closures affect the livelihood of thousands of Florida residents that rely on their paychecks to make ends meet. Without a plan in place to supplement the income of these workers and small business owners, and with no guarantee that unemployment benefits will provide the relief people need in this difficult time, we demand a moratorium on rent collection NOW. Hard-working people are going to suffer at the expense of the greater good. While we don't deny the importance of instituting these closures, we would be ashamed and heartbroken to watch our government let people who are living paycheck to paycheck face evictions, blows to their credit, homelessness, or be backed into a corner financially through no fault of their own. As a full-time small business owner in the retail industry, my sole source of income has been 100% compromised as retail businesses left and right are experiencing disruptions to supply chains, sudden halts in customer traffic, and steep declines in revenue. We need the Miami-Ft Lauderdale Metroplex and the state of Florida as a whole, to put a moratorium on rent NOW in order to preserve the livelihood of so many hardworking people in the retail, restaurant, and entertainments industries, and in other affected industries during this time of crisis.

Governor Jay Inslee: COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) has been classified as a global pandemic. Washington State already has 905 confirmed cases, including 48 deaths statewide. State and federal officials are encouraging people who feel sick to stay home, but many workers already struggle to make rent or mortgage payments. The choice to skip work for the sake of community health could leave them and their families unsheltered. In order to protect the health and housing security of our community, we, the undersigned, call on Governor Inslee to act now so workers won't have to make that choice. Specifically, we call for a suspension of all rent, mortgage, and utility payments for 2 full months to allow people to do what they need to in order to take care of themselves, their loved ones, and the community. The legacy of every public official currently serving will be determined in the next few months. It's time to act now, and choose the right side of history. Choose the people.

As a group, the working class of the United States have been financially crippled by the critical and necessary measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. And we all know it's going to get worse. Though the federal government may eventually provide relief, they have been regularly dropping the ball on not only mitigating the damage of this situation but on admitting there IS a situation. The immediate conservation of our limited financial resources is necessary for our own and our family's health and well-being. Banks and other relevant institutions can, as a class, seek their own relief; the federal government is much more responsive and historically more likely to act on their behalf. We must protect our limited cash flow immediately.

As a group, the working class of Citrus Heights have been financially crippled by the critical and necessary measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. Though the federal or state government may eventually provide relief, the immediate conservation of our limited financial resources is necessary for our own and our family's health and well-being. Health and well-being is critical to maintain in order to fight the spread of COVID-19. If approved, the financial forgiveness may prevent added incidences of severe poverty or homelessness, conditions which are known to add to the spread COVID-19. Rentors, Lessors, banks and other relevant institutions can, as a class seek their own relief; the state and federal government is much more responsive and historically more likely to act on their behalf. We must protect our limited cash flow immediately. Protect hard working families, stave the spread of COVID-19.

We cannot allow those in our community who have to work in this situation to suffer needlessly - perhaps they don't have anyone to watch their kids while school is closed, or they have to miss shifts to care for a loved one. In order to protect the health and housing security of our community, we call on Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature to act now so workers won't have to make that choice. Specifically, we call for a suspension of all rent, mortgage, and utility payments for at least one month to allow people to do what they need to in order to take care of themselves, their loved ones, and the community. Landlords also need to be allowed to take advantage of this, so that they can extend this to their renters. Choose to support our communities!

This is not a Democratic or Republican issue, this is an American issue and one that could define our country in the coming weeks, months and years ahead. We need our leaders to act and act NOW!!

During the COVID-19 crisis, we all have a responsibility towards our communities to keep ourselves healthy and avoid situations that can spread the virus. As of March 17th, the state of Massachusetts will close all bars and restaurants in order to help us uphold that responsibility. While this is a step in the right direction regarding public health, the effects of these sweeping business closures affect the livelihood of thousands of Massachusetts residents that rely on front-of-house restaurant work or tips to make ends meet. Without a plan in place to supplement the income of these workers, and with no guarantee that unemployment benefits will provide the relief people need in a city with one of the highest costs of living in the country, we demand a moratorium on rent collection NOW. Hard-working people are going to suffer at the expense of the greater good. While we don't deny the importance of instituting these closures, we would be ashamed and heartbroken to watch our government let people who rely on restaurant work face evictions, blows to their credit, or be backed into a corner financially through no fault of their own. As a part-time waitress, I am lucky enough that I only rely on tips for supplemental income. For so many of my friends and family in the industry, however, tips are their MAIN source of income. Simply providing people with an unemployment payment or temporary paid leave at minimum wage would not be enough to cover their typical expenses. We need Boston and Massachusetts as a whole to put a moratorium on rent NOW in order to preserve the livelihood of so many hardworking people both in the restaurant industry and in other affected industries during this time of crisis.

We need to reclaim our humanity, together, right now, once and for all in the history of our species! Universalist Emergency across the planet is being applied. The USA has the means and ability to show the planet how we begin the new world - we do not need another war against each other to come together against full economic collapse or even extinction. As our world is changing, the most creative thinkers on the planet are immediately influenced by this planetary crisis. It is now a revelation what humanity must do to handle the tidal wave of events to come and forever in the future. 10 years of this should help the whole species on every continent will have its’ first chance to design the world we all wanted as children and for our children. Allowing for these horrific world conditions to resonate psychologically, is horrific but with compassion through our very tight communication-information infrastructures of 2020, the economic relationships we have now, do not require us to repeat the history of the 1930's. I personally work in the corporate trade-show ballroom audio-video industry in Manhattan, NY, USA and all my part time scheduled work has been cancelled due to COVID19 terror. However, many people in my field have helped me draft this petition. We are the solution to this confusion: COVID-19 UNIVERSAL EMERGENCY [NOW] !

A dangerous new coronavirus (COVID-19) is at its early stages of spreading in the U.S., and appears to be spreading rapidly, with new cases increasing at an exponential rate. Public health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, agree that more than a million lives are at risk nationwide — as the virus can cause severe respiratory distress and lung failure. The oldest among us and those with chronic health conditions are most at risk, but everyone can be sickened, and people who aren't exhibiting any symptoms can carry and spread the virus. We have seen in China and are seeing now in Europe what happens when hospitals become overwhelmed -- it is a terrible scene. We must act aggressively or we will be in the same place. Forcing businesses to temporarily close may not be an easy political choice, but it is the morally clear one, in the best interest of the people of Virginia. Governor Northam and the rest of our Commonwealth’s government should heed the advice of public health experts and do all they can to #flattenthecurve at which this virus spreads. If the federal government will not take decisive action, state and local governments must. Gov. Northam, please close non-essential businesses, especially those such as bars and restaurants where large groups may congregate, to prevent unnecessary contagion and save lives. And please recognize the impacts this will have on workers and small businesses, and use the resources of the Commonwealth to ensure workers continue to get pay and that businesses forced to temporarily close are made whole.

A dangerous new coronavirus (COVID-19) is at its early stages of spreading in the U.S., and appears to be spreading rapidly, with new cases increasing at an exponential rate. The California Department of Public Health has established that the virus is present and spreading within California. Public health experts agree that more than a million lives are at risk nationwide — as the virus can cause severe respiratory distress and lung failure. The oldest among us and those with chronic health conditions are most at risk, but everyone can be sickened, and people who aren't exhibiting any symptoms can carry and spread the virus. We have seen in China and are seeing now in Europe what happens when hospitals become overwhelmed -- it is a terrible scene. We must act aggressively or we will be in the same place. Forcing businesses to temporarily close may not be an easy political choice, but it is the morally clear one, in the best interest of the people of California. Governor Gavin Newsom and the California government should heed the advice of public health experts and do all they can to #flattenthecurve at which this virus spreads. If the federal government will not take decisive action, state and local governments must. Governor Newsom, please close non-essential businesses, especially those such as bars and restaurants where large groups may congregate, to prevent unnecessary contagion and save lives. And please recognize the impacts this will have on workers and small businesses, and use the resources of California to ensure workers continue to get pay and that businesses forced to temporarily close are made whole. There is no reason we can't both act to prevent public health while also taking care of the workers and local businesses being asked to sacrifice so we can do so.

Americans need to be more aggressive in their approach to halting the spread of the novel coronavirus, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said today, Sunday March 15th. Specifically, he said he would support a 14-day national shutdown here in the United States. President Trump and the Coronavirus Task Force should adhere to this recommendation and initiate said shutdown immediately. Yesterday, March 14, 2020, Italy confirmed 398 deaths from COVID--19 in just one day. The U.S. death toll rose to 62, and the total number of confirmed cases surging to more than 3,200. More than 6,000 people have died around the world. The United States is weeks behind many other countries in mitigating the spread of this novel, deadly virus -- including Senegal which has prepared for COVID--19 since February and is reportedly able to test its citizens within a 4hr turnaround and South Korea which is able to test 15,000 citizens a day. We are behind the curve in protecting ourselves. A national shutdown is what is now needed. As evidenced by massive weekend turnout to bars in Nashville, Tennessee and New York City, New York, Americans will not, at scale, take social distancing seriously until mandated to do so. We need a 14-day national shutdown now.