Dear John,

In case you missed it... this week the Voices for Human Needs blog warned of the potentially dire threat coronavirus poses for the nation's almost 2.3 million people who are incarcerated and discusses the undue burdens many college students face due to the emerging pandemic. And we updated our readers about the status of coronavirus-related legislation -- both legislation already enacted and yet to come. Please share!

This week on the blog...

Coronavirus and our incarcerated: 'I don't have a lot of faith they are going to do the right thing'
March 20
When we consider where coronavirus most likely might incubate, certain venues come to mind: cruise ships. Nursing homes. Locker rooms and big sports arenas. Airport security and boarding lines. Schools and day care centers. Even restaurants and bars, which is why so many across the U.S. have been shuttered. Health officials warn that jails, prisons, and other types of detention centers must be added to this list – and if we fail to take the necessary precautions, not only will it place those incarcerated at inhumane and unconstitutional risk – it will also endanger our families and communities, overwhelm our hospitals and make it even more difficult to “flatten the curve” of the spreading coronavirus. READ MORE »

CHN to U.S. Senate: Without action, our economy will sink into a harsh and prolonged recession
March 20
On Monday, CHN sent a letter to all 100 U.S. Senators demanding that the next round of COVID-19 legislation include policies that protect low- and moderate-income people from economic disaster. The letter critiques a Republican proposal that was released on Thursday. “The bill either excludes or provides much less in direct cash payments to low-income people,” the letter states. “Specifically, some people with little income, who need help the most, would be limited to a $600 payment, instead of the $1,200 amount provided to others; some people would be excluded altogether.” READ MORE »

Many college students bear brunt of coronavirus
March 19
Nearly two months ago, I was packing my bags for the Spring semester of my junior year. I remember checking items off my early-January to-do list like every college student. I had heard of coronavirus, but it still felt distant. Its relevance drifted in and out of my life through the occasional news headline, chat with a friend, or meme on Twitter. Fast forward to this week, and 157 countries, including the United States, have reported confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been over 218,631 confirmed cases globally and around 84,113 people have recovered. Over 9,345 of these are in the U.S. The outbreak is a topic of daily conversation, I wince a little bit upon hearing a particularly phlegmy cough on the Metro, and my school is telling me to go home. READ MORE »

Update: The Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. But Congress still needs to hear from you.
March 19
On Wednesday, the Senate passed and President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which will provide immediate paid sick leave and paid family leave to millions of people, expanded unemployment insurance, vital nutrition aid, more Medicaid funds for states, and free COVID-19 testing. But more action is needed. The next round of legislation must include direct payments to families and individuals amongst other critical services.
READ MORE »

Stay informed! Click here for CHN's COVID-19 resource page.

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