Veterinary professionals across the country — from veterinary technicians and veterinarians to other staff critical to animal hospital operations — are on the frontline in helping our communities and pets feel safe and supported as we all grapple with the effects of COVID-19. These essential professionals deserve to be safe on the job and adequately compensated for their efforts to keep our pets safe and healthy during this pandemic. In this time of crisis, too many of our essential workers have been subject to unsafe and unsanitary working conditions, inadequate pay, and inflexible leave policies that put their personal health and safety, as well as the health and safety of the greater community at risk. When veterinary staff are put in harm’s way, so are our country’s pets. --- Hazard pay of at least 20 percent over base hourly wage to compensate for the increased risks these workers face due to COVID-19 --- Adequate safety protections, including necessary equipment such as masks, gloves, and sanitizer to keep both workers and clients safe and minimize community transmission --- Safety subcommittees at all hospitals that can quickly adjust hospital policies and protocols to match current CDC-recommended practices. These committees should be made up of representatives of both workers and management. --- At least two weeks of additional paid leave to ensure that workers can appropriately respond to the COVID-19 risk to themselves and their families. Workers should not be forced to use already allocated PTO. In this time of uncertainty and stress, our veterinary workers continue to show up at work every day and care for our country’s pets. All essential workers deserve to be adequately compensated for helping to keep our communities safe, and veterinary professionals are no different. #essentialpetcare #thereforpets

Many of us are the only providers for our families. Many of us are sole-proprietors and can’t even qualify for unemployment benefits. We have to furnish our own medical insurance, and if we can not run our business we cannot pay for our medical expenses either. We are in the worst possible situation here. Madam Speaker, we are so proud of what you are trying to do for America. Please, do not leave small businesses in the lurch. When all of this is over who will cut your hair, who will launder your clothes, who will treat your aches and pains and soothe your worries? People like us. Please, remember us when you are fighting for the Disaster Relief measures on the house floor and in Senate.

It is important because I have personally witness what my daughter and so many other students have experienced in Athens, GA., where the University of Georgia is located. Because the housing regulations are so lenient in Georgia, the management companies take advantage of student/tenants. In the past, I have notified the Congressman, Jody Hice, but my email was ignored with responses to support his office.

It's life or death now. Do you really trust Donald Trump with your life? Andrew Cuomo would save millions of people from a painful death.

Numerous families will be affected and it will bring devastating circumstances if not addressed immediately.

All of us have added expenses during the Coronavirus Pandemic. No one is immune or exempt. Without added income, we cannot pay our rent, stock up on food and supplies, purchase medication, or pay our bills. It is not just those out of work or who make between $12,500 and $75,000 that are suffering. We need to give *all* residents in our country the best chance at survival we can and reduce the potential impact on our economy and healthcare system by continuing to force people to find work and the means to survive, spreading the virus further and prolonging the impact of the pandemic. If we exempt people from government-provided financial relief, then we are putting their lives at risk. Our goal should be to save as many people as possible. NO POOR PERSON SHOULD BE EXEMPT! We should *all* qualify for the government help we need to survive and thrive.

It is imperative that we have a common-sense approach that protects we the people and not corporations. In terms of potential deaths and the impact on our economy, the crisis we face from coronavirus is on the scale of a major war, and we must act accordingly. We must begin thinking on a scale comparable to the threat, and make sure that we are protecting working people, low-income people, and the most vulnerable communities, not just giant corporations and Wall Street.

The federal government just bailed out financial institutions to the tune of 1.5 TRILLION dollars in an effort to prop up the economy, while leaving suffering workers in the lurch. We’ve been hearing for years that there simply isn’t enough money to provide healthcare, college, and housing as basic human rights, but this massive corporate giveaway proves (just as it did with the 2008 bank bailouts) that the money is there when the 1% and big corporations need it. Due to federal inaction, local governments all over the country are being forced to enact increasingly radical measures to stave off financial disaster for workers and the poor, steps (like the eviction moratorium in Portland) which were previously considered “impossible.”

Spain and its beautiful autonomous region, Catalonia, have many friends throughout the world who are deeply disturbed by the ongoing struggles and now, the heartbreaking medical crisis in Catalonia that is impacting its society and its economy. Many of us look forward to returning to Spain and contributing to its economy and the economy of its unique regions. But Catalonia must first be allowed to address its medical needs and to impose an immediate lock down to stop the spread of coronavirus infection. We ask for your urgent action so that Catalonia can stem the impact of this humanitarian crisis quickly and preserve its vital economy. Thank you for your consideration of this global appeal.

This is urgent: Two members of Congress have tested positive for coronavirus, and several members who came into contact with them are self-quarantining. We need Congress to act NOW before we're left with just Donald Trump in power. Sign the petition: Call on Congress to pass emergency powers to legislate remotely! Any day now, members of Congress could be forced into quarantine, leaving Donald Trump in power with NO congressional oversight.(1) This is not a drill: As the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the country, we’ve never needed Congressional oversight more. Our legislators are the only ones looking out for working people and passing bills to provide health care and economic support, while Trump pumps money into Wall Street and the oil industry. Congress needs to pass emergency legislation NOW to allow lawmakers to vote and deliberate by teleconference. Without it, we will be left in the middle of a pandemic with a full-blown crisis of democracy. Sign the petition: Call on Congress to pass emergency powers to legislate remotely! Although the technology to telecommute and conference remotely has existed for decades, Congress and most state legislatures are behind the times. Congressional rules dictate that legislators must convene in person to pass any legislation, whether during an emergency or not.(2) This is a system designed for failure during the coronavirus pandemic. We’re already seeing the worst-case scenario overseas. 10% of the Iranian Parliament has tested positive for the coronavirus, and two members have died. The European Parliament was forced to shut down in Strasbourg. And in New York, lawmakers have already contracted the virus. Many members of Congress have been exposed.(3) Half of the Senate and one-quarter of the House is over age 65, a risk factor for serious complications or death from coronavirus, and the CDC has recommended gatherings of less than ten people.(4) A quarantine is imminent. The national budget will be up for debate in the summer, and the government will shut down without a new one. Congress needs to pass emergency coronavirus bills and ensure that people are getting the supplies and care they need. And we have an election approaching that we could need to adjust the rules for, like implementing vote-by-mail, if participation is affected by the pandemic. The Supreme Court has already shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak.(5) Without new procedures in place, the country will be left with no legislative branch, either—just Donald Trump and his out-of-control executive orders. The window to preserve our democracy is closing—we have to act now. Sources: 1. Common Dreams, "As Lawmakers Fall Ill, Congress and State Legislatures Must Enact Continuity Plans," March 16, 2020 2. Ibid 3. Ibid 4. Quorum, "How Old is Congress?," accessed March 17, 2020 5. CNBC, "Supreme Court postpones arguments because of coronavirus, citing Spanish flu precedent," March 16, 2020

Sign on to tell Governor Cooper to place a temporary moratorium on the enforcement of eviction orders and to push Congress to do the same nationally. Keep Families safe during this COVID-19 crisis. We are calling on Governor Cooper and Congress to take three immediate actions for housing security during this time of crisis: A national moratorium on evictions. This should include a moratorium on all foreclosures, evictions of both public and private housing, sweeps of houseless people, and utility shutoffs, and restore utility service for all households. A national mortgage and rent holiday. This should cover public and private properties by passing a law reducing rents and mortgage payments to zero for the duration of the crisis, including any fees or interest payments. A national $200 billion dollar Housing Security Fund. This fund should be used to provide: at least $120 billion for rent and mortgage payment assistance for anyone affected by the pandemic; adequate funding for homes and expanded services for people experiencing homelessness; and assistance to families to secure safe housing in this crisis and its aftermath, with payment support to cover applications, first month’s rent, and security deposits. In addition, the federal government must provide immediate cash payments to all people in the United States, immediately, and ensure a just, green transition post-pandemic. See the full set of demands for federal action here. These actions for housing security are essential in our fight to slow the spread of COVID-19. This pandemic has the potential to exponentially increase inequality in America, and if it does it will also worsen the pandemic itself. We need immediate and bold federal action now to ensure all have safe and secure housing through this crisis.

We are bread winners for our families who have worked steadily throughout our lives, who paid into unemployment insurance and have been actively looking for jobs, networking, and using every resource available to us. With companies throughout New Jersey and all around the United States slowing down or putting on hold hiring processes because of severe financial impact of critical and necessary measures put in place to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, we have become financially crippled, with no possible sources of income coming to us anytime soon. Though the federal or state may eventually provide relief, the immediate access to unemployment funds and benefits (such as the approval for training that was in process before the virus and now on hold, along with regular unemployment payments) is necessary for our own and our family’s well-being. We want to be included in relief efforts currently being drafted. We must support veterans who have given their lives to this country and the workers who want to work, but are unable to get jobs due to this virus. It is important to New Jersey’s economy to support unemployed workers immediately. Tell Governor Phil Murphy to publicly support the proposal and sign it as part of the COVID-19 Emergency Relief.