Indivisibles,

This week, we got even more enraging and dangerous news about coronavirus relief efforts: according to a White House official, the Trump administration is prioritizing sending crucial medical supplies like masks and respirators to states that will be important for Trump’s re-election efforts this year.

This is disgusting. Every state, no matter where its residents fall on the political spectrum or how many electoral college votes it has, needs the resources and the funding to combat this crisis. Trump is playing political games with the lives of people nationwide.

Because the fact of the matter is that things will continue to get worse.

The U.S. surgeon general said this week is going to be the "hardest and the saddest" for "most Americans' lives," describing the upcoming grim period of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States as a "Pearl Harbor moment.”

• There are 337,971 confirmed cases in the U.S. and more than 8,500 Americans have died; and Trump admits 200,000 Americans will die in the best-case scenario.
• Hospitals across the country are overwhelmed as they face shortages of basic medical equipment.
• Millions have lost their jobs or have had their hours cut as we head into a recession.

Trump failed to prepare us, and he’s failing to respond.

For months, he downplayed the severity of the coronavirus crisis and failed to take decisive action to prepare our nation, including not securing enough tests, personal protective equipment, and ventilators early on to stop the spread of the outbreak.

We’re working hard to make sure the federal response to the coronavirus is focused on people over profits (or votes) -- you can check out all our demands here. But we need Congress to act decisively and quickly.

We need a People’s Bailout. Specifically, we’re asking Congress to prioritize five principles:

✅ Protect our democratic processes while protecting each other.

✅ Make health the top priority, for all people, with no exceptions.

✅ Provide economic relief directly to the people.

✅ Rescue workers and communities, not corporate executives.

✅ Make a down payment on a regenerative economy, while preventing future crises.

Learn more about what you can do to join us in this fight (and a lot of ways to take action) on our brand new #PeopleOverProfits landing page.

We also need state governments and governors to act.

Up until now, the federal response has had major gaps and millions of Americans will face increased hardship as a result. That’s why it’s so important that state governments act immediately to provide additional support for individuals and families affected by the crisis.  

There are dozens of state and local policies that should be enacted to ensure the public response to coronavirus covers peoples’ needs, particularly those of low-income and vulnerable people and communities. Find out more in our new resource on what state and local governments should be doing.

And now, let’s get to those to-dos:

 Your 5 weekly to-dos 

1. Use this resource to demand accountability and action from your state-level elected officials. The federal government has put out three coronavirus relief packages so far, but there is plenty more that your state and local governments can do to create a more robust and equitable response.
2. Call your senator and tell them to prioritize a Coronavirus People’s Bailout. We need a package that prioritizes protecting our democratic systems, providing accessible health care for all, and direct economic support to everyone. Call your senators now to demand they support the People’s Bailout.
3. Call your representative and tell them the same. Millions of people could be left behind while corporations rake in trillions of tax-payer dollars. The House needs to make this right. Call your representatives now and demand that they support the above provisions be included in the next coronavirus package.
4. Email your representative and two senators and demand they prioritize a People’s Bailout. Use our tool to send a letter to your three members of Congress, which outlines what a People’s Bailout would include.
5. Record a video demanding your members of Congress prioritize a People’s Bailout and tell us how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted your life. We’ll uplift you and show reporters and members of Congress that even though we’re not rallying in the streets, Indivisibles are still working hard to hold their members of Congress accountable and build a sense of shared community. Use this opportunity to use your voice to control the narrative.

BONUS TO-DOS:

We’ve got some exciting bonus action items that we want our movement to be a part of this week. 

Firstly, we have VoteFWD: a new at-home letter-writing opportunity ✉️

Last week, Indivisible launched a new partnership with VoteFWD; a nationwide letter-writing campaign to reach voters in key states before the November election, maximize impact, and increase turnout.

We fast-tracked VoteFWD because so many folks are stuck at home and looking for ways to stay engaged and active. This is a great way to focus on the things we can control, like building voter turnout in key states ahead of November.

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up to write letters by clicking here.
2. Then, VoteFWD provides you with names, addresses, and a template to write letters to voters in important states.
3. Save your letters and send them right before the election so that voters receive them at the perfect, most-strategic moment. 

We’re encouraging groups to hold digital letter-writing parties so that Indivisibles can continue connecting with their communities but from the safety of their own homes. Many groups are already utilizing the VoteFWD tool, and we’re excited to launch this program on a national scale. Click here to check out the new letter-writing resource for more ways to plug into the movement digitally.

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Second, a brand new Share Your Secret Talent Video Campaign to assist our movement in spreading more positivity and joy to the world.

We know Indivisibles are talented organizers, but what other secret talents do you have? Record a video highlighting a secret talent, this can be anything from a musical performance, comedy routine, dancing, yoga, or anything else that keeps you entertained while social distancing.

Share your talents with the movement! Record a 90-second video highlighting your secret talent. Submit entries by April 19th for a chance to be featured.

 2020 Update 

As of today, April 6, 15 states and Puerto Rico have postponed their primaries, while Wisconsin’s primary navigates uncertain legal waters regarding the postponement of its primary tomorrow. Read on to learn more:

• Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued an order today to suspend in-person voting in Tuesday’s spring election until June. Then, the WI Supreme Court overturned his decision, saying the election must move forward as planned. The kicker? The conservative-leaning Wisconsin state supreme court is what made this decision, and a 10-year seat on that very same judicial entity is on the ballot for tomorrow's election. The GOP in WI has resisted countless measures, lawsuits, and proposals to try and allow Wisconsinites to protect their health and still engage in their civic duty. This sets a dangerous precedent and is why it's so important for us to push measures that will allow people to vote and still protect their health and the safety of others, like universal vote by mail. If you are a Wisconsin absentee voter, make sure you get your ballot postmarked by tomorrow. You can find more info about voting safely in WI in light of COVID-19 here.

• The DNC announced that it will be moving its presidential convention to August.The decision comes after former VP & current Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden called for the convention to be postponed in light of the coronavirus pandemic. DNC officials are discussing ways to scale back the convention to maintain public safety. The new date for the convention is the week of August 17.

 Find an IndivisiEvent near you 

 Trump is playing games with people's lives 

Every state, no matter where its residents fall on the political spectrum or how many electoral college votes it has, needs the resources and the funding to combat this crisis. But Trump is still playing political games with the lives of people nationwide -- prioritizing relief to states that are important for his re-election.

We need every elected official on the record condemning this gross political stunt. To make it happen, we’ve started a massive video campaign and we’re constantly updating resources, toolkits, and all the ways we’re helping people organize across social distance. But all those things cost money, and right now, many of our supporters can’t give because of economic constraints. If you’re lucky enough to be financially able, please consider clicking here and making a gift to help us keep this work up.

 IndivisiWin of the Week 

Indivisibles are doing their part to keep everyone safe (especially medical professionals) and following the social distance guidelines

At this time of extreme crisis, the nation needs a steady and trusted leader in the White House who tells the truth, is guided by experts and doesn’t cause confusion when people need accurate information. Trump fails that test and because of his failed leadership, America is less safe than it should be.

It has never been more important for Indivisibles to come together and help where we can. It starts with demanding Congress take action and put people over profits, and it ends with calling out Trump for his failure to support this country and then ousting Trump in November.

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team