We cannot allow history to repeat itself. That's why I've joined progressive organizations, members of Congress, and other elected officials in calling for the enactment of the People's Pandemic Prevention Plan.

There are grave similarities between this pandemic and HIV, SARS, Ebola, Zika, and other pandemics. Similarities that allow us to plan to prevent the situation we're in now.

We know that the risk of pandemics are accelerating as a result of corporate globalization, climate change, and systemic racism. This plan addresses those root causes through:

• The Economy:
  • Establish a New Deal-level permanent program to create 300,000 new union jobs to meet the needs for contact tracing, testing, vaccinations, and support for those who must be in isolation.
  • Make these jobs permanent by having hirees move on to address other health disparities that disproportionately impact communities of color after the outbreak is contained.
• Health Care:
  • Guarantee urgently needed affordable medicines and vaccines for everyone, everywhere, instead of high-priced medicines, invented with our tax money, and hidden behind patent monopoly barriers.
  • Mandate that wealthier countries provide funds for health systems and community support in low- and middle-income countries to detect and stop pandemics when they start – and before they spread.
• Climate Change:
  • Combat global drivers of deforestation and wildlife habitat destruction to prevent diseases from leaping from animals to humans.
  • Prohibit the sale of products in the U.S. from irresponsible corporations linked to deforestation, outlawing wildlife trade.
  • Partner with Indigenous People and local communities to protect their land.

Sign the petition: Enact the People's Pandemic Prevention Plan now.