COVID-19 TESTING MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL 

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
The Senate should not be in recess in a time of national crisis.  The Trump administration refuses to put the health of our families and neighbors ahead of politics and corporate greed.   I’m asking the Senator to call for the Senate to return to session.  And to demand that our federal government provide for vital protection equipment for our health workers, and testing and treatment for everyone. 

ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS

Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here. 

SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
The House should not go on recess in a time of national crisis.  The Trump administration refuses to put the health of our families and neighbors ahead of politics and corporate greed.   I’m asking the Representative to call for the House to remain in session.  And to demand that our federal government provide for vital protection equipment for our health workers, and testing and treatment for everyone. 

ACTION THREE: WRITE LETTERS TO VOTERS FROM YOUR HOME

Organizing for the 2020 Election is going VIRTUAL!  
Stay tuned — more activities to come!  

BACKGROUND:

Trump’s initial refusal to acknowledge that the COVID-19 outbreak could pose a serious health threat was an effort to protect Wall Street and his re-election hopes. 
Ironically, an early understanding of the virus, and a coordinated national response would have lessened the need for more stringent measures now and would have actually lessened the impact on the economy.   
When Trump did form a coronavirus task force, it gave almost no consideration to testing.  Early, comprehensive testing would have allowed researchers to understand how the virus spreads.  Instead, thousands were unknowingly infected.  Even now there are insufficient kits available to test any but the already seriously ill. 
Despite urgent pleas from the governors of hard-hit states, Trump is avoiding use of the Defense Production Act to order private companies to produce vital equipment and testing kits. Corporate CEO’s objected, and he is afraid it would blunt his anti-socialism election strategy. 
This virus has shown that any one person’s wellness depends on everyone else’s.  Congress should not be taking a recess. They need to return to work and demand that this administration provides for vital protection equipment for our health workers and testing and treatment for everyone. 

SOURCES: