TRUMP HAS SEEDED A SECOND WAVE OF CASES AND DEATHS
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…
Experts are warning that the state re–openings pushed by Trump and his armed acolytes are seeding a new wave of cases which may result in 70,000 new deaths by the end of the summer. I ask that you:
- Demand that the Administration provide a national plan for testing, tracing and isolating cases.
- Also, please warn hospitals to strengthen their systems to handle an outbreak bigger than the one we just saw.
We need to listen to the scientists.
CALL SENATOR MERKLEY
CALL SENATOR WYDEN
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…
Experts are warning that the state re–openings pushed by Trump and his armed acolytes are seeding a new wave of cases which may result in 70,000 new deaths by the end of the summer. I ask that you:
- Demand that the Administration provide a national plan for testing, tracing and isolating cases.
- Also, please warn hospitals to strengthen their systems to handle an outbreak bigger than the one we just saw.
We need to listen to the scientists.
CALL SUZANNE BONAMICI (OR-01)
CALL GREG WALDEN (OR-02)
CALL BLUMENAUER (OR-03)
CALL PETER DEFAZIO (OR-04)
CALL KURT SCHRADER (OR-05)
ACTION THREE: SIGN UP FOR A VIRTUAL LETTER-WRITING EVENT
Indivisible Oregon is hosting virtual letter writing parties every Saturday, noon-2:00. Sign up at https://swingleft.org/group/indivisible-oregon
Or write letters to voters from home whenever it’s convenient for you. Register with Vote Forward to get started at votefwd.org.
Host your own virtual letter-writing party! Get started here: http://swingleft.org/p/virtual-letter-writing-party.
BACKGROUND:
We are all neighbors. The pandemic demanded we protect each other. If we had not, modelers estimate America would have 35 million cases now instead of 1.6 million.
But with 100,000 deaths, this outbreak is far from over.
Ignoring expert advice, Trump pushed to “liberate” states (to showcase his armed resisters), declared churches “essential” (to pander to his evangelical base), and pump the economy (to strengthen his only reelection argument).
So now the virus is circulating in open pubs, pools and pews, ensuring cases and deaths will soar. That’s because 35% of infected people are asymptotic. These are people who look and feel healthy while spreading the virus.
Meanwhile, the coronavirus is snaking into America’s heartland. It spreads in prisons and meat factories. Unprotected workers then spread the virus through their communities. These are communities with poor medical infrastructure and high burdens of comorbidities.
Experts warn of at least 70,000 more deaths by the end of summer.
Trump is now bellowing that schools must reopen “ASAP.” He also wants 50,000 people at his convention.
This outbreak can be stopped. Countries as diverse as South Korea and Germany have done it and are safely reopening. They proved science-driven leadership is crucial.
SOURCES:
NPR, May 26, 2020: “As U.S. Nears 100,000 COVID-19 Deaths, Where Is The Country Headed?” https://www.npr.org/2020/05/26/862012540/as-u-s-nears-100-000-covid-19-deaths-where-is-the-country-headed
The Atlantic, May 20, 2020: “America’s Patchwork Pandemic Is Fraying Even Further” https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/05/patchwork-pandemic-states-reopening-inequalities/611866/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Washington Post, May 24, 2020: “A deadly ‘checkerboard’: Covid-19’s new surge across rural America” https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/24/coronavirus-rural-america-outbreaks/?arc404=true
NBC News, May 25, 2020: “Second stylist at same Missouri hair salon tests positive; nearly 140 exposed to coronavirus” https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/second-stylist-same-missouri-hair-salon-tests-positive-nearly-140-n1214036
CNN, May 24, 2020: “A cluster of coronavirus cases was reported in Arkansas after a swim party” https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/23/us/arkansas-swim-party-coronavirus/index.html
The Hill, May 19, 2020: “Texas, North Carolina, Arizona see rising cases as they reopen.” https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/498406-texas-north-carolina-arizona-see-rising-cases-as-they-reopen
NPR, May 19, 2020: “Texas Faces A Spike In The Coronavirus Cases At Meatpacking Plants.” https://www.npr.org/2020/05/18/858236538/texas-faces-a-spike-in-the-coronavirus-cases-at-meatpacking-plants
New York Times, May 24, 2020: “Editorial Board: The Most Patriotic Thing You Can Do Right Now.” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/24/opinion/coronavirus-us.html
