Coronavirus Campaigning

Campaigns (132)

• Tell Congress to include food worker protection in the next coronavirus stimulus bill

  I work with slaughterhouse workers and whistleblowers in the food industry who are deemed essential. But these industries do not treat workers with dignity and worth. Workers must be allowed to speak up safely when they see threats to public health – for the safety of workers, animals, and consumers. Most plant workers feel like they are valued less than the animals. Martina and Luis are plant workers who have expressed to me that unlike plant workers, animals are worth something even when they die. Trump says they have to work and plants need to stay open. He said he will make sure workers get personal protective equipment (PPE) and practice social distancing. But the USDA has been increasing the line speeds at slaughterhouses so fast that workers can barely keep up. Meat inspector whistleblowers, like Jill Mauer and Phyllis McKelvey, have publicly expressed concern that no worker or inspector could possibly sort products effectively at the USDA's new high speeds. But now, wearing the PPE, workers get overheated, they are getting fatigued because the masks make it difficult for them to breath. And Trump does not seem to care about public health. With so many workers sick and speeds even faster, how can people like Martina and Luis keep up and still keep food safe? The workers I speak with often remain anonymous due to concern for themselves and their families. They are essential workers and deserve clean and safe working conditions. If they are told to go to work, they at least deserve paid sick days off so that they don't spread sickness. Six Tyson workers have died in the outbreak already. To make things worse, if a worker comes into the plant with a fever, not only does that worker have to stay home until they are symptom-free, but so do any of their family members who work at the plant. Whole families are sent home with no pay. Some plants say they offer short-term disability if a worker is out for over two weeks, but none of the workers I have spoken to have ever heard of anyone getting that benefit. Luis said that it's very hard to get short-term disability ever, and that it only reimburses for 20 hours a week – not full-time hours. At Martina's plant, they offered workers a bonus to come to work during COVID-19. But after taxes, it amounts to only about $130/per month. Animals are being abused, poultry is often unsanitary, and workers are getting injured. I am already hearing that the plastic they are putting in between workers for social distancing is causing chemicals to build up in the plant. Workers have to communicate with masks on, and as it is getting warmer, they are getting overheated by PPE. It is hard for them to even access water with the protective equipment on their faces. It's not enough to just give them PPE and plastic dividers. The workers are told that they can go to human resources and their safety supervisors if they have safety concerns. But Martina and Luis said that they are not told how many people are sick in the plant or in which departments the ill people worked. The plant tells them nothing. Workers are discouraged from raising concerns. They need to be heard if Trump wants to keep these plants running. Tell Congress that the least it can do is to ensure corporations are not given a free pass to exploit workers in the food industry. Congress must pass a COVID-19 relief bill that guarantees protection for workers.

  3,738 of 4,000 Signatures

  Created by Amanda Hitt, Food Integrity Campaign
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  Tell the Senate: Coronavirus Vaccine Must Be Affordable for All

  The coronavirus is threatening to become a major global pandemic, with the number of confirmed cases growing inside the United States. So who are Donald Trump and his administration’s top officials most concerned about right now? Giant corporations. When asked by Congress if a future vaccine will be guaranteed to be affordable for all Americans, Trump’s head of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar--a former drug company lobbyist--refused to commit. Instead, he suggested that private pharmaceutical companies’ ability to profit would come before the health needs of the people. This is outrageous and the Senate must act immediately to ensure that all of our families will be able to access and afford any future vaccine. .

  3,706 of 4,000 Signatures

  Created by Nita Chaudhary, MoveOn Political Action
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  Eviction Moratorium in Cleveland

  An astounding number of people in this city do not have enough savings to cover food and basic supplies for one to two weeks in the case that they are out of work. In light of the current spread of Coronavirus and resulting economic effects, many people in Cleveland are understandably nervous about the insecurities they may be facing if they are unable to work. Many low-income residents in Cleveland are in a tenuous situation due to the spread of Coronavirus and resulting workplace shutdowns. We've crafted a thoughtful and collaborative approach to the crisis in the hopes that landlords adopt these practices to avoid any undue displacement or hardship on their tenants: 1. Proactively reach out to tenants to explain the landlord's plans and expectations on this issue and to ask them to provide updates about any changes in their financial status. We ask that landlords assure tenants that they are committed to working with them on a case by case basis to accommodate their needs. 2. During the course of this epidemic and its resulting economic outcomes, we ask that landlords put a moratorium on any financial-related evictions. 3. We ask that landlords utilize deferrals, loans, or temporary rent reductions/forgiveness as necessary to help those who have been laid off, prevented from working, or otherwise unable to make their rent rely on the safety and security of their home. Here is a message template to share with tenants: “Dear _, we hope this message finds you and your family well. We understand that the unfolding Coronovirus epidemic will impact a number of our tenants and are monitoring the situation closely. We do not want to add housing insecurity to the stresses that everyone is already experiencing, and are committed to ensuring that all of our tenants can stay in their homes through the duration of the present crisis. We are willing to work with each tenant on a case by case basis to address problems, financial or otherwise. We are asking that everyone promptly inform us of any developing problem as soon as new information is available so that we can work together to make accommodations. Please keep us posted, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns, and in the meantime, take care of yourselves." * * * * * * * * We must work together to find solutions that meet the needs of many. To anyone worried about the ramifications of this crisis, whether landlords or tenants: Let's put our heads together to discuss how to get through it while protecting our most vulnerable residents. Contact: [email protected] to get involved.

  3,590 of 4,000 Signatures

  Created by Anna Perlmutter
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  COVID 19 EMERGENCY RENT AND DEBT FORGIVENESS IN MICHIGAN

  The coronavirus pandemic has millions being laid off of work or unable to work, and we must do everything we can to alleviate suffering, ensure people keep their homes and ability to protect themselves, and prevent lasting damages like bad credit scores. As a group, the working class of Michigan 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. Renters, 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.

  3,577 of 4,000 Signatures

  Created by Rejee Cosby
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  COVID-19: Expand vote-by-mail in every state

  Poll workers dropping out. Last-minute polling place closures. Voter confusion. Low turnout. Voters in Florida, Arizona, and Illinois dealt with these unprecedented challenges and more on their primary day due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. And if Congress doesn’t act now, millions more could be disenfranchised this year. The solution? A strong vote-by-mail program in every state -- accompanied by ample early voting hours and expanded no-excuse absentee voting. But it’s up to Congress to take the necessary steps to move these reforms forward and ensure that every voter can cast their ballot safely. That includes passing the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act. This crucial bill would offer voters in every state the option to cast their ballot by mail -- eliminating the health risk that may come with voting in person. It’d also expand early voting programs nationwide, reducing crowd sizes at the polls and offering those who need or prefer to vote in person more flexibility. Implementing these reforms before the November election will take ample time, equipment, and funding -- so it’s crucial that Congress acts fast. Protecting voters shouldn’t be a partisan issue, and the reforms in this bill are already popular with Republican, Independent and Democratic voters in states across the country. Add your name to tell your members of Congress: there’s no time to delay. Pass the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act now!

  3,537 of 4,000 Signatures

  Created by Common Cause
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  Pass the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act immediately

  Since the first case of the Covid-19 was diagnosed in the United States on January 20th, the response from the federal government to this pandemic has been slow and ineffective. From personal protective equipment to ventilators and tests, healthcare workers are still being left to treat Covid-19 without the supplies they need. Many clinics and hospitals have run out of respirators and even simple procedural masks are running low. In some hospitals, providers are being asked to use a single mask for multiple days even though these masks were designed for one time use. New reports are coming out everyday highlighting the desperate, war-like situation in some of our nations’ hospitals, with patients lining the hallways and refrigerated trucks being used as a supplementary morgues. In the United States, the only institution with the power to lead a strong and coordinated response, ensure adequate production of medical equipment, and provide widespread testing is the federal government. Our leaders need to step up, right now, to ensure the health and wellbeing of our healthcare workers while also taking the necessary steps to slow this pandemic. That starts with passing the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act This is not a partisan political issue. Our loyalty is to our patients and our colleagues who are on the frontline sacrificing so much for their communities. We need our federal government to do their job. By passing the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act, Congress can force the White House to take this critical action. Congress must immediately address this issue when they return to session for the next emergency Covid funding bill. Without sufficient access to testing and necessary protective equipment, the crucial shortage will become healthcare workers. We must do something now. Sign the petition. Demand your members of Congress vote to support the bill. Why is this important? I’m a doctor in Portland and I am spending all of my free time volunteering with #GetUsPPE. My fellow healthcare workers don’t have the PPE they need to protect themselves during this pandemic. Losing these workers due to infection or quarantine not only risks their health but also endangers the stability of our entire healthcare system. I am afraid. I’m afraid that I might become infected and die, or worse that I might transmit the virus to my loved ones. I am afraid tThat my fellow doctors and nurses and support staff might die. That my hospital might run out of PPE. That I can’t adequately treat my patients. That they might die alone and afraid. Meanwhile, President Trump continues to drag his feet on using the Defense Production Act, our most important law supporting the production of necessary supplies in times of emergency. Due to this delay, Senators Chris Murphy and Brian Schatz have introduced the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act (Senate Bill 3568) to force the White House to utilize the Defense Production Act, and the bill is gaining momentum. But Congress won’t act unless enough of us demand, loudly, with one voice to #GetUsPPE and all of the other supplies and equipment like ventilators and medications that we need to save lives. Will you help me get Congress to pass this bill? Add your voice to ours. #GetUsPPE Dr. Val Griffeth, MD, PhD GetUsPPE.org

  3,217 of 4,000 Signatures

  Created by Val Griffeth
• COVID-19 Emergency Rent and Debt Forgiveness

  As a group, the working class of San Diego 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. Lessors, lenders, 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.

  3,205 of 4,000 Signatures

  Created by Leomara Chavarria
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  Tell Greg Abbott: Keep Clinics Open

  Governor Greg Abbott just ordered a stop to all "surgeries and procedures that are not immediately necessary" in Texas. Abortion is essential healthcare, but the Governor's office is trying to apply the order to abortion clinics. Anti-abortion extremists are exploiting the coronavirus crisis to end abortion access as we know it. We need to raise the alarm right now and flood Abbott's office with petitions demanding that he include abortion as essential healthcare and lift current restrictions that endanger the lives of Texans. Add your name to demand Texas keep abortion clinics open.

  2,897 of 3,000 Signatures

  Created by NARAL Pro-Choice Texas
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  Stop Jared Kushner from hoarding coronavirus supplies!

  Where are all the masks, test kits, and other crucial supplies desperately needed to safely end the lockdowns and end the coronavirus pandemic? It looks like Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, has a lot of them. He's working with big corporations to hoard millions of gloves, masks, swabs, and more. We don't know where they're all going, even as governors have to have the National Guard protect their own shipments so the feds don't seize them. This is totally unacceptable. It could even be criminal. But we don't know the details. It's time for Congress to act.

  2,842 of 3,000 Signatures

  Created by Demand Progress
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  Suspend rent, mortgage, and utilities payments for the Corona virus 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.

  2,757 of 3,000 Signatures

  Created by WASHINGTON INTERPRETERS