The burden of coping with this pandemic should not fall on those who are least able to pay for it. Especially, when Amazon and Whole Foods receive huge tax breaks from the government. Bezos can afford to pay for these needy workers from his own personal wealth without breaking the bank. It is obscene that he is trying to foist this responsibility off onto his hourly workers.

At the end of 2019, as the disease COVID-19 was ravaging other countries Donald Trump and his administration made the conscious decision to not take actions to mitigate the impending crisis for the American people. They made the decision to not appoint someone to oversee information about the disease and they made the decision to not order the tests needed in this crisis. This inaction has lead to an extreme economic downturn, an incredible number of job losses for working people, even more unstable conditions for the poor and homeless, and will lead to an exponential amount of preventable illnesses and deaths. We have just learned that this was not just incompetence but a conscious decision made by President Trump to protect his Re-election bid. In and interview with NPR, journalist Dan Diamond from Politico notes: "In the case of Alex Azar [Secretary of Health] he did go to the president in January. He did push past the resistance from the president's political aides to warn the president the new coronavirus could be a major problem. There were aides around Trump - Kellyanne Conway had some skepticism at times that this was something that needed to be a presidential priority." "But at the same time, Secreatry Azar has not always given the president the worst-case scenario of what could happen. My understanding is [Trump] did not push to do aggressive additional testing in recent weeks... and that's partly because more testing might have led to more cases being discovered of coronavirus outbreak, and the president had made clear - the lower the numbers on coronavirus, the better for the president, the better for his reelection this fall." I demand you immediately look into this gross negligence and do everything you can to ensure President Trump's resignation.

We are in the middle of a fast expanding pandemic

The United States has an opportunity to avoid or mitigate the overwhelming of hospitals as seen in Hubei, China, and Lombardy, Italy. Given the exponential rate at which the undetected virus spreads, investing in testing now, alongside other public health measures, will save lives, spare hospitals, and ultimately save funds. A similar per capita rate to South Korea would suggest approximately 70,000 tests a day, nationwide, should be conducted in the USA. However, according to the CDC's website, as of March 12, the last complete data available (March 6) shows a mere 137 tests run by the CDC and 1162 by public health labs.

It is our responsibility to come together to protect the lives of those around us by limiting the spread of this disease as much as possible and caring for the tens of millions whose health, jobs, families and communities will be impacted. Utility companies must not cut off essential resources including water, power, and gas to ensure everyone has the ability to take care of themselves and their families. There are thousands of people already hit with the financial burden of missing work for a quarantine, to care for a loved one or children when school is cancelled, being laid off, and many more as this crisis grows. COVID-19 has revealed the interconnectedness of our country and our world -- that the health and well being of one is intimately bound to the health and well being of all. Now, we must rise to the occasion and care for each other and support one another.

While there have been many great steps taken to afford those with health insurance support during this outbreak by the President, Congress, state governments and the Health Insurance industry in the form of reduced or no copay on COVID-19 testing and care, there have been no such provisions made for those without health insurance. This is important because it will leave millions of uninsured people to foot a bill of an untold amount in a time that they are likely to be out of work should they contract COVID-19, which will inevitably result in people being forced to make the decision to get medical care or to go without. This could end up resulting in even an wider spread of COVID-19 as people who cannot afford medical help go un-diagnosed and untreated. Such an action would speak volumes to the commitment to the health of not only the currently insured but also the uninsured people of the country. Please open up a special enrollment for health insurance in this trying time, people should be able to get covered immediately without having to wait until November. Should this happen it would not only be of benefit to the uninsured, but to all Americans. Please tell the leaders of the nation, and health insurance companies to open up enrollment for health insurance so that all might get treatment during this outbreak.

For many COVID-19 is a life threatening illness. Given the current situation with coronavirus I think FCPS should do the right thing and close the schools for a few weeks. It is clear from the numbers in the rest of the world that if we shut things down now we have a much better chance of containing the virus. I know that we have several snow days already built in to the school year. We can use them now and help stop the spread of the virus. I could keep my own children home but it’s not going to help unless everyone keeps their children home. Below are links to a few articles I’ve found defending this idea: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/coronavirus-cancel-everything/607675/ And https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca If we take things seriously and “quarantine” now we can prevent this virus from overwhelming our medical system like it seems to have done in Northern Italy. But we need our leadership to guide us. I promise I will defend you when other parents complain that closing the schools is an over reaction. Believe me when I say I don’t look forward to spending weeks at home with my children (even though I love them very much!)

By allowing workers to stay home without fear of being unable to make rent and allowing people to buy health insurance, EVERYONE will be better off as it will help slow the spread of the virus. Also, if more people get health insurance, the insurance pool will be bigger, and presumably younger people who opted not to get insurance will be motivated to get covered.

This is a health hazard for many students in DVC. The first case of corona virus has been announced in the Contra Costa County, where Diablo Valley College’s Pleasant Hill campus is located.

When I look at the Democratic field I see a lot of talent and good ideas. But this positive message is lost in the bickering that makes them all so unattractive. Democrats have a mission to serve the needs of all classes, all races in this country including former Trump voters. People are tired of fighting. Give them hope and unity and a positive cohesive message.

The spread of the coronavirus is a major national and global public health crisis. It should be a moment where our government works quickly and effectively to stop a pandemic. Instead, as the Intercept reported, Congressional leaders are considering adding an extremely controversial provision reauthorizing mass spying on the American people to a must-pass coronavirus spending bill. Key portions of the Patriot Act are due to expire on March 15. This includes Section 215, the notorious provision that enabled our government to conduct mass surveillance on the American people. Members of both parties in Congress have tried to prevent Section 215 from being reauthorized, so we can shut down this abusive spying for good. But Congressional leaders are strongly considering adding a reauthorization of Section 215 to the coronavirus spending bill, forcing members of Congress to choose between public health and our constitutional rights. We need to mobilize NOW and tell Congress this is an unacceptable, shady, and offensive idea. Congress needs to pass a clean coronavirus funding bill. And they need to shut down Section 215 for good.

Currently Nevada does not have mandated nurse-to-patient ratios. SB 362 is a bill that will set a minimum standard for safe staffing in hospitals. Research has proven that setting safe nurse-to-patient ratios prevents patient deaths, decreases medication errors, and decreases hospital length of stay. Research has also shown that Registered Nurses are more effective in providing safe patient care when not overburdened by unmanageable patient assignments (NYSNA's Education, Practice and Research Program, 2013). This bill will improve patient outcomes, patient and nurse satisfaction, and contribute to the provision of superior care for our local community by our healthcare facilities.