The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the cracks in our health care system and has shown how woefully negligent our country’s lack of a paid sick leave policy is. In fact, the United States is the ONLY developed nation in the world that doesn’t have a national policy providing paid sick leave. 

Most nations understand that paid sick leave is a necessity, as do many employers. However, far too many working people don’t have paid leave, which means, oftentimes, low-wage or gig-economy workers have to choose between working while sick or making ends meet.

In a recent COVID-19 crisis bill, Congress took an important first step and gave emergency paid leave to those suffering from COVID-19-related emergencies. However, it’s not enough. For starters, corporate lobbyists carved out exemptions for companies with more than 500 employees; the emergency benefit is only temporary; and it only covers two-thirds of a sick employee’s wages for 80 hours. 

That’s why we can’t stop fighting on this important issue. We need to ensure everyone has sick leave—at any time, for any illness—by passing a national paid leave policy. Nobody should have to choose between earning money or getting well, which is why we need you with us on this: Before midnight, will you please add your name and demand Congress pass paid sick leave?

Stephen Paolini
Civic Action