FLOUTING EXPERT ADVICE LETS COVID EXPLODE ACROSS THE U.S.
Jump to today’s actions:
Background
Vaccines are coming.
But their benefit won’t soon stop the carnage. Covid has exploded nationwide. It has killed more than 1 in 1,000 people in nine states. Hospitalizations topped 90,000 on Thanksgiving and facilities may soon be forced to turn patients away.
More cases are expected, a result of 3 million people who ignored expert advice and traveled over Thanksgiving.
Following simple public health guidance would save lives faster than vaccines. Many localities, including the Cherokee Nation, have proven it.
Flouting the guidance has been devastating. Last week, the Supreme Court joined the herd by placing religion over public health.
Pope Francis disagreed. Addressing the argument that personal freedoms are under assault, the pope wrote, “Looking to the common good is much more than the sum of what is good for individuals.”
The outlook is bleak. Experts are expecting cases seeded over Thanksgiving to overrun hospitals. One in six families with children now don’t have enough to eat. Fourteen million face losing unemployment benefits and 19 million people may soon be homeless.
After giving trillions to the rich and corporations, help for the rest of America has stalled in the Senate. Republicans must act for the common good.
1. Call the Senate.
Script Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The Covid crisis will get worse in the next few weeks, magnifying the economic calamity already gripping the nation, especially among the poor. Millions, including children are going hungry, and millions more will soon be homeless. This is a humanitarian crisis, right here in America. It is simply immoral. Please fight for help and hope every moment you are in DC. We need to all work to build back an America that cares for us all.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The Covid crisis will get worse in the next few weeks, magnifying the economic calamity already gripping the nation, especially among the poor. Millions, including children are going hungry, and millions more will soon be homeless. This is a humanitarian crisis, right here in America. It is simply immoral. Please fight for help and hope every moment you are in DC. We need to all work to build back an America that cares for us all.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Sadly, the Covid crisis will get worse in the next few weeks, as cases seeded over Thanksgiving produce more cases, then hospitalization and finally deaths. This will magnify the economic calamity already gripping the nation, especially among the poor. Millions, including children are going hungry, and millions more will soon be homeless. Yet help is blocked in the Senate by your party. Show the country Republicans have a heart. Fight for the HEROES act or other real Covid relief for everyone, not just corporate liability shields and unemployment insurance below the unliveable minimum wage.
2. Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The outlook is bleak. Experts are expecting cases seeded over Thanksgiving to flood hospitals. One in six families with children now don’t have enough to eat. Fourteen million face losing unemployment benefits in weeks and 19 million people may soon be homeless.
While the House passed the HEROES act, more must be done for help to reach those in need.
I ask that you launch a campaign daily to highlight the desperate need for Covid relief. Castigate Republicans in the Senate as heartless and immoral (when they return from vacation). This is an humanitarian crisis, right here in America.
Script for Greg Walden (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Covid cases and deaths are soaring, along with collateral decimation of the economy. Today, a hunger crisis looms over 26 million Americans; 14 million are unemployed, and 19 million are facing homelessness in the next few weeks.
This humanitarian crisis, right here in America, must be addressed. And it must be addressed by Republicans, who have given away trillions to the rich and corporations. Yes, the HEROES Act has already passed the House, but your responsibility to your constituents has not ended. Speak out for the need for Senate action to provide relief to everyone, not just liability shields for employers and a one-time pittance to those who struggle.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The outlook is bleak. Experts are expecting cases seeded over Thanksgiving to flood hospitals. One in six families with children now don’t have enough to eat. Fourteen million face losing unemployment benefits in weeks and 19 million people may soon be homeless.
While the House passed the HEROES act, more must be done for help to reach those in need.
I ask that you launch a campaign daily to highlight the desperate need for Covid relief. Castigate Republicans in the Senate as heartless and immoral (when they return from vacation). This is an humanitarian crisis, right here in America.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The outlook is bleak. Experts are expecting cases seeded over Thanksgiving to flood hospitals. One in six families with children now don’t have enough to eat. Fourteen million face losing unemployment benefits in weeks and 19 million people may soon be homeless.
While the House passed the HEROES act, more must be done for help to reach those in need.
I ask that you launch a campaign daily to highlight the desperate need for Covid relief. Castigate Republicans in the Senate as heartless and immoral (when they return from vacation). This is an humanitarian crisis, right here in America.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The outlook is bleak. Experts are expecting cases seeded over Thanksgiving to flood hospitals. One in six families with children now don’t have enough to eat. Fourteen million face losing unemployment benefits in weeks and 19 million people may soon be homeless.
While the House passed the HEROES act, more must be done for help to reach those in need.
I ask that you launch a campaign daily to highlight the desperate need for Covid relief. Castigate Republicans in the Senate as heartless and immoral (when they return from vacation). This is an humanitarian crisis, right here in America.
3. Save the Senate: GA Run-Offs in January.
Georgia on your mind? We know you're excited to get to work on the upcoming Senate elections in Georgia.
Indivisible Oregon is partnering with Swing Left to write letters and with Reclaim Our Vote to make phone calls. (Reclaim Our Vote postcards are finished, but they are ow making crucial calls to Georgia voters in rural areas who are likely to have been disenfranchised.). Go to https://www.indivisibleor.org/events for information about how to join with us.
Also, those on the ground in Georgia need money. You can donate to:
GA SENATE CAMPAIGNS, which will distribute your contribution among the two Senate campaigns and Fair Fight: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/georgiasenate
RECLAIM OUR VOTE, which is reaching hard-to-reach voters in rural Georgia: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/reclaim-our-vote-preparing-for-2020-fundraising-campaign/
RAPHAEL WARNOCK CAMPAIGN: https://warnockforgeorgia.com/
JON OSSOFF CAMPAIGN: https://electjon.com/
FAIR FIGHT GEORGIA SENATE https://GASenate.com
4. Sources
How Do We Stop This COVID-19 Surge? Here's What Experts Say Could Help : Shots - Health News : NPR
COVID-19 Cases Are Spiking, and the Senate Is on Vacation. | Time
Even with a vaccine, U.S. economy faces long path toward recovery NBC
There is a hunger crisis in America this Thanksgiving - CNN
Opinion | Pope Francis: The Covid-19 Crisis Reveals What Is in Our Hearts - The New York Times
Journalist Maryn McKenna: Arizona “risks a catastrophe on the scale of the worst natural disaster the state has ever experienced." https://twitter.com/marynmck/status/1332752825001111553?s=20
Covid stimulus help for desperate ICU nurses is urgent. But Congress is on vacation. NBC
Stimulus Clock Ticking as Congress Has Just 14 Days To Work Out Relief Package This Year
