Keep it up: Stand Fast Against Political Blackmail
The 2023 federal fiscal year ends in four days. To keep the government functioning, a Continuing Resolution (CR) must be passed no later than the stroke of midnight this coming Saturday. The so-called “Freedom Caucus” is threatening to shut down portions of our government by blocking a CR unless Democrats surrender to political blackmail by passing extreme right-wing “poison pill” provisions that Republicans have been unable to enact through the normal legislative process.
If we've learned anything over the past decades, it's that appeasing political terrorists by giving in to their demands only leads to more blackmail. President Biden and Democratic Party leaders have condemned and opposed Republican political hostage-taking and insisted on a "clean" CR. We need to let them know that we support them. America does not surrender to violent terrorists—and we should not surrender to political terrorists.
Call President Biden and your Members of Congress and tell them: "Hold fast! Do not surrender to political blackmail—even if it means a government shutdown!"
Now's the time to get free COVID-19 tests
This week, the USPS and the Biden Administration reopened the ordering site for free COVID-19 home test kits. Use these rapid antigen tests before attending (or hosting) a gathering or other event; if you test positive, cancel, or wear a good (N95) mask and be outside if possible. Get yours today!
Also, as a California resident, you can still get your insurance to reimburse at-home COVID-19 test purchases thanks to SB 510, passed in 2021. This provision lasts until early November, so the window is closing fast—you can purchase up to 8 per person this month and 8 per person next month and get those reimbursed by your insurance.
The new 2023 COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out—get yours as soon as you can!
To keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors safe from respiratory illnesses that can cause long-term complications, it's important that we keep up with our annual vaccinations. There are at least two shots you should get this fall: one for COVID-19 and one for flu. If you’re 60 or older, you should also get the new vaccine for RSV.
Pfizer and Moderna have released new, updated COVID-19 vaccines for 2023, and they’re still rolling out. Demand is high, and availability is still limited. We’ll all be able to get our shots, sooner or later.
The COVID-19 vaccines are still free, but the details have changed. People with insurance will have to present their insurance, and their insurance will be billed. People without insurance can get the new vaccine for free via the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.
For more information on where to get the shot, and how to get it for free if you’re uninsured, see our blog post.
Smoke has cleared… for now
Thankfully, ocean winds have blown away the wildfire smoke from our area. For now, our air is clear.
Which makes this the perfect time to prepare for the next round of wildfire smoke. It's never permanently gone in our deteriorating climate, only gone until next time.
For a convenient list of things you should do now to be ready for the next round of wildfire smoke, see our blog post.
NEXT WEEK: Cell phones will play an emergency alert on October 4
FEMA and the FCC have planned a nationwide emergency alert test for October 4, starting at 11:20 AM our time and running for approximately half an hour. If it’s postponed, the backup date will be October 11.
If at that time you need your cell phone to remain quiet, either put the phone into airplane mode until such time as the noise would no longer cause a problem, or turn it off outright for the same duration.
2023 is an election year. Are you ready to help get out the vote?
Join us in phone banking, postcarding, and more for critical elections from now into November in Ohio and Virginia, among other places. Help us win victories in 2023 and build momentum for 2024 to protect democracy and our civil rights!
From postcarding to phone and text banking, find your next action on our (Get Out The) Vote page.
Tax Day is coming up next month. Are you ready?
You may remember that the state and federal tax deadlines for almost all Californians were deferred earlier this year due to the winter storms. The revised deadline is October 16, and that date is less than a month away.
If you haven’t already submitted your state and federal taxes for tax year 2022, now’s the time to get on it. Don’t wait until the last minute; get your paperwork in order and contact your tax preparer today.
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