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Dear Friend,
The coronavirus news this week has been daunting, depressing, and scary to say the least.
More people than ever in the U.S. currently have the virus, over 250,000 people have now lost their lives to the disease, and case numbers are rising in ALL 50 states. [1] The stories from the frontlines are devastating. In El Paso, TX, for instance, the city I call home, we have even had to order 10 additional mobile morgues to store the bodies of people who have died from COVID-19. [2] These frozen trailer trucks are sitting in parking lots holding the bodies of loved ones. Burial services are even delayed because the county medical examiner can’t keep up with processing COVID-19 victims—and we are getting dangerously close to having to ration care in our already overwhelmed hospitals. [3] We are in crisis. Our nation is in crisis. And our voices are needed.
***Sign on to let every governor know the moms of America are behind them all the way to urgently follow the direction of medical experts to stem the spread of coronavirus! *When you click, you’ll automatically sign on if we already have your information.
Even as we are in crisis, don’t give up hope! Medical advances are happening daily and there is so much more we can do to stop the spread. For instance, there are now not one—but TWO—vaccines in their final testing phase [4] and more is being learned about COVID-19 and how we can protect ourselves and our communities every day. We all can work together over the next few months to stop this surge, save lives, and protect our economy.
In the meantime, we need our elected leaders to step up to stop the spread. Thankfully, some have. Governors in North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Washington are leading the way. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has completely fumbled and mismanaged the national pandemic response, but state governors can also play a key role in urgent public health protection – many already are!
While some governors are stepping up to protect families in their states (and need to hear from us that we are behind them all the way as they protect public health as they continue to take the measures they need to stop the spread!), other governors haven’t yet taken some critical, lifesaving steps. And that’s where YOU come in!
***Sign on to let every governor know the moms of America are behind them all the way to urgently follow the direction of medical experts to stem the spread of coronavirus! *When you click, you’ll automatically sign on if we already have your information.
This is important! This pandemic is disproportionately impacting Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities, [5] older adults, [6] and people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. [7] When one city in any state sees a surge, that can quickly spread and endanger the entire state—and the states around them. In the continued absence of leadership from President Trump, governors are on the frontlines of keeping our communities healthy and safe during this pandemic. Governors can work together to help control hotspots in their states and regions.
The pandemic has left hospital systems across the nation in serious crisis and our health care workers are being stretched past their limits. [8] And, too many families will be missing loved ones for the holidays. We can do better! Governors in all 50 states can take steps toward slowing the exponential growth in the spread of this virus and—most importantly—each and every individual can take the CDC recommendations seriously as we head into the winter months and make a positive difference, including saving lives, in our communities.
What is happening right now is NOT ok, and the moms of America know this. As we head into the colder winter months and the holiday season, it’s also important to realize that studies are showing it’s smaller gatherings that have been fueling the spread recently. [9]
The steps you can take can be daunting, but are doable!
The good news is these tactics are highly effective! Studies show that universal mask wearing saves lives and lifts our economy by decreasing the intensity of stay-at-home orders that are needed. [10]
Another tactic is adding your name to our open letter to governors so that more people have the option of staying safe: Sign on to let every governor know the moms of America are behind them all the way to urgently follow the direction of medical experts to stem the spread of coronavirus during the current spike! *When you click, you’ll automatically sign on if we already have your information.
Please sign our open letter to governors that reads:
Governors are on the frontlines of keeping our communities healthy and safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As moms, dads, parents, and grandparents—we want to let you know we are behind you all the way to urgently follow the direction of medical experts to stem the spread of coronavirus!
As our nation experiences exponential growth in the spread of the pandemic—and all 50 states are experiencing a rise in cases—our families, communities, economy, and hospitals are relying on leadership and collaboration with other governors to stem the spread of this deadly disease. As you know, taking decisive action as recommended by medical experts lightens the overall load on health care and essential workers, families, and our economy. Thank you for following medical experts to save lives and protect our economy.
Don’t forget to sign on now! Sign on to let every governor know the moms of America are behind them all the way to urgently follow the direction of medical experts at the CDC to stem the spread of coronavirus! *When you click, you’ll automatically sign on if we already have your information.
→ We also have some tips for you to help protect your family during the pandemic: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that people modify their plans for the upcoming holiday season to slow the spread of COVID-19, including by celebrating virtually—instead of in-person—with people outside of your household. Additional public safety tips include: Consistently practicing social distancing from people not in your household, mask wearing, hand washing, and other prevention behaviors; limiting the number of attendees at gatherings as much as possible and avoiding direct contact with people outside of your household; celebrating outside where attendees have more room to stay 6 feet apart at all times and increasing ventilation for indoor meetings; requiring attendees to wear masks whether indoors or outdoors; and looking at COVID-19 infection rates where a gathering is happening. [11, 12]
And feel free to also share this action link on social media, forward this email, and spread the word so we can increase public health and safety together. The more people who speak out, the bigger our impact. Here’s that link again: https://action.momsrising.org/sign/hc_covid_crisis/?t=16&akid=14594%2E2840598%2E24gpHR
Together we are a powerful voice for the health of families.
- Claudia, Felicia, Donna, Kristin and the whole MomsRising / MamásConPoder team
P.S. Have you or a family member contracted the coronavirus and had to seek medical care, or had difficulty seeking testing or treatment? Tell us about your experience: https://action.momsrising.org/survey/COVID19_Stories/?source=HCcovid&t=18&akid=14594%2E2840598%2E24gpHR
P.P.S. Read more about how to lessen your risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19: https://action.momsrising.org/go/68389?t=20&akid=14594%2E2840598%2E24gpHR
[1] NBC News, U.S. surpasses 250,000 coronavirus deaths as virus mortality rate surges
[2] Reuters, El Paso, Texas, calls in ten morgue trucks as coronavirus cases surge
[3] The Texas Tribune, El Paso is fighting the coronavirus and state resistance as officials desperately try to keep up with sick and dying Texans
[4] Politico, There are 2 effective Covid-19 vaccines. What’s next?
[5] CNN, Covid-19 is sending Black, Latino and Native American people to the hospital at about 4 times the rate of others
[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Older Adults
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, People with Disabilities
[8] CBS News, Health care workers express overwhelming fatigue as COVID-19 cases surge across the country
[9] The Washington Post, At dinner parties and game nights, casual American life is fueling the coronavirus surge as daily cases exceed 150,000
[10] STAT News, Universal mask use could save 130,000 U.S. lives by the end of February, new study estimates
[11] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Holiday Celebrations and Small Gatherings
[12] Brown University, My Covid Risk App
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