Trump and his congressional enablers like John Cornyn are failing us, and with deadly consequences. It is medical neglect at a national scale. We have to protect ourselves.
1. Listen to experts
Because we are far behind other countries in testing, we know that COVID-19 cases in the US, including Texas, are undercounted. Expect exponential growth as more testing is made available. Follow guidance on social distancing and handwashing.
2. Tell your senators to pass H.R. 6201
Last week the US House passed H.R. 6201, the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” to bolster the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and address the severe impacts of the coronavirus on Americans’ personal safety and financial security. This response includes paid leave, establishes free testing, and protects health workers.
Tell Your Senators to Support the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
3. Give money to food banks
Many Americans cannot afford a 14-day supply of food and will turn to food banks for support. The best thing you can do is donate money:
4. Defend the Affordable Care Act
On the 10-year anniversary of the ACA—and in the face of a global pandemic—state leaders should focus on reducing our state’s worst-in-the-nation uninsured rate instead of attacking our health care.
Join #SickOfItTX to hold state leaders accountable for continued attacks on coverage and to demonstrate support for the ACA in Texas.
Call on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to stop his Health Care Repeal Lawsuit!
5. Elect leaders who are good in a crisis
November will be here before you know it. Any of the Democratic contenders are better than current GOP incumbents. And some are showing true leadership in the face of pandemic.
Julie Oliver, Democratic nominee, TX25:
Congress:
• Emergency paid family leave.
• Suspend copays & deductibles.
• Address supply chain chokepoints for medical tech & drugs necessary to manage our response.
• Fiscal stimulus to head off a global recession.https://t.co/PuF2o2uigH
— Julie Oliver (@JulieOliverTX) March 12, 2020
Dr. Christine Eady Mann, primary runoff candidate, TX31:
I appreciate my opponent in #TX31 taking a moment to address concerns about #Coronavirus; however, his article misses the mark in discussing why there is real concern within the medical community.
— Dr. Christine Eady Mann (@DrChristineMann) March 11, 2020
Pt.1 Let’s talk #flatteningthecurve & #coronavirus. The idea is that cases will increase, but we can help control how much – we cannot overwhelm our medical system w/ folks not severely sick or w/ cases that were preventable. pic.twitter.com/e6pkwF4cOn
— Dr. Christine Eady Mann (@DrChristineMann) March 12, 2020