Hi John,

Thirty-four states have either reopened some parts of the economy or have plans to do so within the next few weeks. But there are still questions as to whether this is safe and if it will cause a rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Scientists have projected that the quick move to lift restrictions in Georgia could see an increase to over 23,000 deaths in the state by the end of August. That’s more than the number of COVID-19 deaths in New York City to date. 
 
When states ultimately reopen, the US will still have to grapple with the economic fallout of this crisis, including catastrophic unemployment and decimated local government budgets. This week we take a look at the steps Congress can take to get Americans safely back to work.

Building a Better Tomorrow

Yesterday, we saw yet another stunning jobless claims report, raising total unemployment claims to more than 33 million people over the last seven weeks. That's about one in five American workers. 
 
Supporting jobs and critical services should be Congress’ top priority when it responds to the economic crisis. One way to do this is through investing in infrastructure in ways that focus on getting people back to work when the economy reopens. To get the most bang for our infrastructure bucks, lawmakers should use taxpayer funds strategically and prioritizing clean infrastructure to make the US economy more productive, more resilient, and more competitive in a low-carbon future. Read more here:

First and Worst

There’s a saying in the environmental justice movement that communities of color are often hit first and worst by environmental impacts. It’s also true of public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. People of color are getting infected and dying from COVID-19 at a higher rate than their white counterparts, and that’s likely in part due to these groups’ disproportionate exposure to air pollution. Because of systemic racism, people of color live in places with dirtier water and air and will consequently suffer an unequal burden to slow-moving disasters. But how do we ensure environmental justice prevails during the COVID-19 recovery and beyond? 
 
That’s the topic of our next interactive web panel on Thursday, May 14, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monica Medina of Our Daily Planet will hold a candid conversation with National Field Director of Moms Clean Air Force Heather McTeer Toney, the Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization at The National Wildlife Federation Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, and Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Coordinator Michelle Martinez.

Register here for Ensuring Environmental Justice During the COVID-19 Recovery