4/7/20
NATIONAL
ISSUES
Contact all Federal
Members of Congress
(includes contact info and
links to social media)
Fax
legislators for free:
Or use Resistbot: https://resist.bot/
Or use StampsLicked to
have messages hand-delivered to our own legislators: https://stampslicked.org/
White
House contact: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/white-house
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HOSPITAL
STAFF NEEDED IN NYC: New York hospitals
are facing a desperate staffing shortage, Andy Slavitt, former ACA head for
Obama informs us. If we are, or know any, Respiratory Therapists, RNs or Nurse
Practitioners, the hospitals will pay for our flight, put us up in a hotel and
pay us very, very generously. They also have enough PPE to protect us. https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1246838768063205382
Slavitt’s ultimate idea is to form a brigade that will go from one hot spot to
another, equipped with PPE, which this particular call promises to provide.
Also, for those getting their hours cut or being laid off, this is lucrative
work. Right now, this is the biggest
crisis point for NYC and the rest of us can help out now, and hopefully, get
assistance when out crisis hits worse. We can find out more and sign up
here, then share with our friends on social media: https://covid.nychealthandhospitals.org/Volunteer We can also contact @AndrewSchwabDC at @USofCare for information.
VOTE BY
MAIL: The RNC and the Trump Organization are
beginning a major legal and political push against efforts to shift to vote by
mail and make it easier for people to vote from home - very explicitly arguing
that it would be bad for the Republican Party politically. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/03/trump-2020-election-legal-battle-coronavirus-162152
and https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/april-4-2020
We need to make sure coronavirus doesn't
stop people from making their voices heard in November. Let's call our
members of Congress and tell them we want them to push for more funding for the
states to shift to vote by mail, and call our state legislators and governors
and insist that they give people the option to vote by mail and make it easy
for them to do so in the general election.
STATES
COMPETING WITH THE FEDS: After learning that the federal government
was not going to help procure needed medical supplies to cover the COVID-19
crisis, the states have been competing with each other and, as it turns out,
the federal government as well, which has been usurping states’ orders. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/31/nation/warren-feds-why-did-you-take-massachusettss-medical-supplies/
and https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/04/coronavirus-colorado-polis-ventilators-fema/
and https://wfpl.org/federal-
FARMWORKERS
AND COVID-10-9: From one of our own: What would Cesar Chavez say? Farm workers who are harvesting our food were
left out of latest #COVID19 aid. They face huge risk & new
economic burdens. https://katu.com/news/coronavirus/how-coronavirus-threatens-seasonal-farmworkers-at-the-heart-of-the-us-food-supply Email your Congressmembers to ensure
these Essential Workers get the hazard pay they deserve. https://ufw.org/covidaction33120
RELEASE
MIGRANT CHILDREN FROM DETENTION: Last
week, a federal judge gave the administration until yesterday to release
detained migrant children, whose imprisonment puts them at higher risk of
contracting COVID. https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-03-31/trump-ruling-release-migrant-children-parents-coronavirus?.
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Rosa DeLaura (D-CT) have sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Secretary Alex Azar, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary
Chad Wolf, Department of Justice (DOJ) Director of the Executive Office for
Immigration Review James McHenry, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan sharing their concerns about unnecessary
confinement, the lack of social distancing in these facilities, and ORRs slow
pace in reuniting children, who should not, by law be in custody for more than
20 days, with families and sponsors. https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-murray-urge-trump-administration-ensure-unaccompanied-minors-are?fbclid=IwAR1gKsjpggu7sbh3jfhoHqEO_pcFF16OYamlTSrDnU7pInl7hxd65drpW4c.
Let’s ask our MoCs to sign on to this letter and put pressure on ORR to
follow the recent court ruling and release these children immediately.
TRUMP USING
COVID AS AN EXCUSE TO DENY ALL ASYLUM CLAIMS: A leaked memo from the Department of Homeland
Security has verified that DHS is now automatically expelling anyone who
crosses the border and giving them no legal option to claim asylum, which is a
violation of law and due process. https://www.propublica.org/article/leaked-border-patrol-memo-tells-agents-to-send-migrants-back-immediately-ignoring-asylum-law#181945.
Let’s make sure our MoCs are aware of this flagrant violation of the law and
ask them what they can do to stop it.
PRESSURE CHARTER AIRLINES TO STOP DEPORTATION FLIGHTS: Classic Air Charters is one of the companies involved in arranging Swift Air and World Atlantic Airline flights from Brownsville Texas to Central America. Let’s contact these three airlines at the links above and demand that they stop participating in activities that put people’s lives at risk.
BLOOD
DONATION RESTRICTIONS: UPDATE: The coronavirus has taken a foothold in each state, and in order to
follow CDC guidelines and practice social distancing, the Red Cross has
canceled more than 5,000 blood drives. The U.S. is now facing a blood shortage
(https://bit.ly/2Uab295).
While the FDA has revised its restrictions on donations from
men who have had sex with other men, it has still not lifted its discriminatory
ban in its entirety. Let's contact FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn
and tell him that this unscientific, outdated rule needs to end and that we
want him to lift the ban. We can reach him via e-mail: CommissionerFDA@fda.hhs.gov,
on Twitter @SteveFDA or by mail to Dr. Stephen M. Hahn, Commissioner of Food
and Drugs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human
Services, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061 Rockville, MD 20852
DISABILITY
HOTLINE: A group of
disabled activists have joined together with support from the Partnership for
Inclusive Disaster Strategies to create The Disability Underground Network. The Network's primary
focus is operating the National Disability COVID-19 Healthcare Support and
Advocacy Hotline, where disabled people across the country can call in and
receive medical advocacy and/or mutual aid. Let's be sure to share the
hotline number with those in our community to ensure that they are able to
receive the help they need. National Disability COVID-19 Healthcare
Support and Advocacy Hotline: (800) 626-4959, e-mail: contact@disabilityunderground.org
STOCK
TRADING BAN: Late last week, there were even more
revelations about potential use of inside information on the stock markets by
members of Congress. Senator Kelly Loeffler sold stock in an online travel
company right before Trump announced a flight ban to Europe (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-03/georgia-senator-loeffler-did-quick-dump-of-travel-company-stock).
Let's remove any doubt and call our members of Congress to tell them to
commit to supporting legislation that bans senators and representatives from
holding individual stocks while in office.
USING ZOOM? "Millions are staying home in an effort to
slow the spread of COVID-19. Whether it’s for work, education, or recreation,
people are flocking to Zoom for their video conferencing needs. But is Zoom
safe? For years Zoom has claimed to use
end-to-end encryption to keep users' communications secure. It turns out the
company misled users." Turns out they are not. https://www.zdnet.com/article/zoom-concedes-custom-encryption-is-sub-standard-as-citizen-lab-pokes-holes-in-it/
Sign this petition to tell the company to implement end-to-end
encryption already: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-zoom-to-stop-putting-people-in-danger-during-the-covid-19-crisis
POSTCARDING
ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES: From one of our own: Let’s work on these: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m6NeIQEhs6uYGiwLFet4RoKAHRNcl_OI13vlBYEjNhc/edit
NO-SEW
MASKS: The CDC is now advising we wear masks when we
leave the house. https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/03/826219824/president-trump-says-cdc-now-recommends-americans-wear-cloth-masks-in-public
We can make cotton masks from
ordinary household items. Here are various versions:
http://blog.japanesecreations.com/no-sew-face-mask-with-handkerchief-and-hair-tie;
and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html
PROTECT OUR
HEALTHCARE WORKERS: Here's a
crowdsourcing website where "Hospitals post the protective supplies they
need. People, businesses, and other medical facilities ship or drop off
directly to the hospitals in need." Anyone can use the site. Let's
coordinate to get them what they need. https://protectanurse.com
HELP
RESEARCHERS TRACK THE VIRUS: Given
the failure of the Trump administration to track the coronavirus through
widespread testing, researchers are seeking to track people who have covid-19
symptoms. https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/help-researchers-track-coronavirus-by-reporting-your-covid-19-symptoms While
it’s true that this tracking data will be less robust than tracking through
testing, researchers still believe they will gain valuable insights. Let’s
learn more and help to crowdsource the pandemic at COVID Near You: https://scistarter.org/covid-near-you
FREE ONLINE
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS: "So
many creators of children’s books have risen to the call for help from
teachers and parents during the COVID-19 crisis by creating online materials
that will entertain, instruct, and inspire children and young
people." The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
has created a website that collects these materials. Let's give them a try! https://www.scbwi.org/digital-directory-for-remote-learning-resources/
GENERATION
CITIZEN FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Generation Citizen offers programs
and activities to “empower young people to become engaged and effective
citizens.” https://generationcitizen.org/about-us/mission-vision/ During
this stay-at-home period, GC is offering “take action” activities for families
to do together at home. Here’s an example: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k8_tRBu9QeefEXMHvK7m3WrvjawHi6GI/view Let’s
keep informed of (and participate in!) these opportunities by “liking” their
Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/generationcitizen , and by
signing up for their newsletter, https://generationcitizen.org/newsletter/ .
SUPPORT A
HOSPITAL IN ITALY BY LISTENING TO A SONG: This song is from Italy's most famous band in the 70's. https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9348718/roby-facchinetti-interview-rinascero-rinascerai-italy
They have donated the copyrights to the hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII in Bergamo,
Italy. Every click on the video means a gift, because YouTube pays the owner of
those copyrights per click. In Bergamo hospital, 800 people died in one day
alone. So, share this video as much as possible. Grazie!
STANFORD
UNIVERSITY COVID-19 STUDY: Stanford University is asking us all to take
part in an on-going survey about COVID-19. The information will be used to
inform local and national responses, such as redirecting medical resources or
improving policies and public guidance. Let's do this and pass along to others,
too: https://med.stanford.edu/covid19/covid-counter.html
COVID-19
COPING STUDY: The University of Michigan School of Public
Health is seeking participants aged 55 and older to take part in their COVID-19
Coping Study. “The purpose of this study
is to find out how the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is affecting the health
and well-being of older adults in the United States. We hope to better
understand older adults’ experiences, perspectives, and ways of coping during the
crisis.” We can sign up here: https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2t6Pox3Lu9K4Sa1
ELECTION/VOTING
WI: FIND
DRIVE THRU, CURBSIDE VOTE SITES OR DROP OFF ABSENTEE BALLOTS: With last
night’s late Supreme Court decision, Republicans have forced Wisconsin’s
elections to be held today, Tuesday, April 7, despite Wisconsin’s stay-at-home
order that restricts ”All "public and private gatherings of any number of
people that are not part of a single household" https://www.wpr.org/what-know-about-wisconsins-coronavirus-stay-home-order Fortunately, Wisconsin Democratic Party has a
guide to help us vote safer. When we click this link, we can find information
on how we can vote using curbside or drive-thru options, as well as how we can
drop off our absentee ballots in our town, village, or city. All ballots must
be dropped off in-person before 8:00 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 7, at the
latest, but some municipalities have earlier deadlines, as shown here. Ballots
returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, April 7. We
can find Vote Safer information here: https://wisdems.org/voter-information-page/curbside-voting-information/
P2V
ELECTION WATCH: Postcards
to Voters' (P2V) volunteers wrote to Democrats across Wisconsin for Campaign
197: Jill Karofsky for WI Supreme Court. Unless the US Supreme Court
rules otherwise, this election is set to proceed as scheduled. (More at Politico.) The race for WI Supreme Court is the primary
reason that Republicans are so intent with holding the election as planned.
(More at The Intercept). Thank you to everyone who wrote for and/or
worked on Judge Karofsky's campaign. Let's watch the returns for this
important election.
NEW
POSTCARD CAMPAIGN: Postcards
to Voters kicked off Campaign
198: Christy Smith for Congress, California District 25 (Simi Valley area).
This May 12 special election will be held exclusively by mail. Let's
request 5 addresses today for this important campaign.
NEED
POSTCARDS? Postcards to
Voters' flying banner and critter vote-by-mail designs are back in stock at
P2V's Etsy store. We can order a set of 100 cards for $15. Sales help
support P2V's operating costs. If we are looking for postcards, let's
be sure to check these great designs.
STATE/LOCAL
ALL: ASK CITY GOVERNMENTS TO
SAVE LIVES USING NYC BASED COVID-19 PLAYBOOK TO UNITE HEALTH AND SOCIAL
SERVICES: As our cities face the onslaught of hundreds of thousands of COVID-19
cases, we can act now to prevent massive numbers of deaths in our most
vulnerable at risk populations by using the New York City COVID-19 Rapid
Response Coalition (CRRC)’s Playbook. Our fragmented health and social
services systems will need to quickly form partnerships to serve our most
vulnerable at risk people, and this playbook can help guide us through
it. We can help our cities save vulnerable lives, by coordinating
healthcare, social services and more, when we check out The United
States of Care COVID-19 Playbook, with its replicable goals,
tactics and work streams, then ask our local government officials to read
it and consider how best to use its tactics. https://unitedstatesofcare.org/covid-19/playbook-and-case-study-of-nyc-covid-19-coalition/
MI: HOMELESS MICHIGANDERS: Last week, the Michigan Coalition Against
Homelessness, along with over 80 organizations across Michigan, sent a
letter to Governor Whitmer, urging her to prioritize the homeless population as
she takes action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to care for all
Michiganders (https://bit.ly/2wlUOAQ).
The letter points out that those who experience homelessness
"are twice as likely to be hospitalized, two to four times as likely
to require critical care, and two to three times as likely to die."
The letter also notes five specific actions that can be taken to protect our
homeless population. Let's read through the letter, then contact Governor Whitmer and
Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon, and ask them to
work with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness to support homeless
Michiganders. Governor Whitmer: P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, Michigan 48909,
517-373-3400/517-335-7858. Director Gordon: 517-335-0267, gordonr3@michigan.gov
RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS/GROUP ACTIONS/TWEETSTORMS
UNDOCUMENTED
WORKERS/COVID-19: Organizers
from Oxfam America,
Mijente, RAICES, National Day Laborer Organizing
Network, and the Western North Carolina Workers' Center are joining
together today, Tuesday, April 7th, to host a webinar on COVID-19 and the
undocumented community. Presenters will "examine the impact of COVID-19 on
undocumented people, what that means for the United States in terms of equity,
justice, workers’ rights, and public health, and how communities are responding
to the crisis." Let's sign up and learn how we can help support
the undocumented community: https://bit.ly/2wixcgt
READING/WATCHING
This Is
Our (Caring) Revolution - https://onbeing.org/programs/ai-jen-poo-this-is-our-caring-revolution/
5 Ways
Small Actions Have Huge Power
- https://www.yesmagazine.org/issue/mental-health/2018/09/10/5-ways-small-actions-have-huge-power/
What
Everyone’s Getting Wrong About the Toilet Paper Shortage - https://marker.medium.com/what-everyones-getting-wrong-about-the-toilet-paper-shortage-c812e1358fe0
If
Technology Can’t Save Us, What Will? - https://teacherinastrangeland.blog/2020/04/05/if-technology-cant-save-us-what-will/
Praise
Song for the Pandemic - https://www.theworkofthepeople.com/praise-song-for-the-pandemic
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We can stay up
to date on Congress by checking out their schedules. a) The House publishes
a weekly schedule at The Weekly Leader (published and dated Friday)
as well as daily schedules at The Daily Leader. b) The Senate updates
their schedule daily at the Senate Floor Schedule
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