The Repetition Edition
June 12, 2020
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Dear Friends and Neighbors, |
There's no such thing as a slow interim this year. Old problems, new ideas, but no slow days. I hope you get some time to relax!
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Justice
Juneau had two rallies supporting justice in the wake of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The number of people who gathered and marched (doing their best to keep six feet apart) demanding equality at each demonstration inspires me. Together well over a thousand people came to say Black Lives Matter.
I'm often called to speak at rallies. These were different. It's important for Alaskans who rarely get handed a microphone to take the lead. I'm trying to listen to and learn from them.
America struggles with systemic racism. Alaska is not immune. There are too many ways the playing field isn't level for people of color. And while I hope I've been helpful, I also know I've acted without thinking. As we prepare for next session, I'm listening to Alaskans and working with colleagues on reform ideas. It's been more than 525 years since indigenous people in North America started to be treated as less than fully human on their own lands, and roughly 500 years since enslaved African people were brought against their will to this continent and what would later become America. The problems run deep.
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Rep. Hannan and I had the privilege of presenting a legislative citation to Ric Iannolino for his tireless work on behalf of Alaskans. |
Resurgence
We’ve all worked to flatten the curve of the new coronavirus. Alaskans had a lot of success before the decision to reopen. The month of May saw a mere 1-3 new cases each day and very few folks hospitalized.
That success came with a big cost. People lost jobs and businesses. So, since hospitals and doctors spent the time lockdown bought us adding capacity to handle more sick folks, it made a lot of sense to carefully start re-opening.
But we needed to reopen smart. Instead, we took a fairly aggressive plan and skipped several steps. Within a few weeks we now see a big resurgence of COVID spread. Alaska has the highest number of active cases since this all started. The testing and medical capacity built up over the past few months won't be enough to handle the growth if it accelerates exponentially. So we all need to be extra careful: keeping our distance, washing hands, and wearing face covers in public.
This week more than 200 medical professionals asked the governor to mandate cloth face masks in crowded public places where distancing just isn’t possible. They pointed out the developing science now has the CDC, the WHO, the Surgeon General and Dr. Zink all recommending face covers. I hope the governor listens. We should be able to keep the economy open and Alaskans healthy. But it really does take smart public health measures to do both.
The way the numbers are going, it looks a little like we're headed back toward the lockdown & job loss vs. lots of deaths trade-off we faced in the early days of this. Nobody wants to go either of those routes. Vigilance can buy us the middle way. Please join me in keeping our communities safe.
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The family that votes together, gets stickers together. |
Vote Safely
Nothing gets better if we don't vote. It's a fundamental right and responsibility of Americans. We have to keep it safe for all. Other states have shown that's really, really hard to do in long lines for crowded polling places. Quite a few COVID cases Outside were tied directly to in-person voting.
We also have to make sure poll workers stay safe as they help hundreds or even thousands of their neighbors vote. I’m disappointed Lt. Gov. Meyer chose not to have an all-mail primary in August even though the legislature gave him the option to do so and protect Alaskans' health.
He said there would be no need to hire vulnerable older Alaskans as poll workers because so many younger folks are out of work. That's a little concerning in what it says about the value the Lt. Governor puts on unemployed Alaskans' health. But then last week the Commissioner of Administration offered to let state employees get paid their normal wages to "volunteer" at the polls. So it sounds like the Lt. Governor is genuinely worried poll workers will get sick, but he's not willing to keep them safe by using the mail. Instead he's shifting the risk—at increased cost—to state workers. I have questions.
The good news is, you can vote risk-free! Unlike in some states, Alaskans don’t need a reason to get a mail-in ballot. It’s really easy. Fill out this form and send it in. If you’re already registered, they need to receive it at least 10 days before the primary. (That’s the date it needs to arrive, not the postmark deadline.) If you need to register, the application has to get in 30 days before the election. That's it. You'll get your ballot in the mail, virus-free.
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Did someone forward you this newsletter?
Did you fall into it through the series of tubes? Want more?
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Stuff To Do:
The Kids & Teens Edition
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Check out the LA Public Library’s online story time for babies, toddlers, and young kids. There’s so much reading & rhyming fun.
Try these free learn to code workshops. There’s beginner’s fun with computers for kids ages 5 and up and Learn to Design and Code Apps for teens & tweens 12-15.
Tired of that same old room? Let Sesame Studios teach your tot how to build an awesome blanket fort. |
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How do you start a conversation with your kids about racism and inequality in America? Check out this Sesame Street Town Hall.
June 15.
For the more artistic among us, there’s free live-streamed crafting classes every week. Learn marbling, block painting, and more. |
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Is there an event in our district I should know about? Please call or email!
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Visit Me!
Alaska State Capitol
Room 419
Juneau, AK 99801
800 550 4947
907 465 4947
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Contact My Staff:
Edric Carrillo
907 465 6419
Cathy Schlingheyde
907 465 6827
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