One year ago today — on March 11, 2020 — the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

And, of course, the coronavirus had already started doing damage before that.

In the United States alone, more than half a million lives have been lost so far, millions have been thrown out of work, hunger has skyrocketed, children have been deprived of a year of in-person schooling, countless small businesses have been sacrificed, and mental health has plummeted.

As bad as it has been overall, the devastation has been even worse among people of color and other disadvantaged communities.

Around the world, the number of coronavirus deaths (that we know of) is over 2.5 million and counting.

Here in America, we can begin to imagine an end to this nightmare.

But in poor countries, the end is nowhere near. We’re going to be talking to you about that a lot more in the days and weeks ahead.

Today, I want to ask you to join me in taking a moment to think about — in whatever way is right for you — the lives that have been lost, the families (perhaps your own) that have been shattered, the communities that may never recover.

This plague, and the criminally incompetent response of the Trump administration, have taken so many from us. Let’s remember them, mourn for them, and honor them.

And then let’s continue doing all we possibly can to be there for each other, to get through this together, and to win real progress.

Thank you for being part of Public Citizen.

Be safe.

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

P.S. For half a century, Public Citizen has been advancing policies that put the needs of everyday Americans before the greed of billionaires and Big Business. That legacy of progress and that ongoing work could not matter more right now, as our nation transitions to a Joe Biden presidency that will be as progressive as we — you and Public Citizen, together — make it. We’re also busy undoing all the damage Trump did. And, like so many nonprofits and small businesses, we continue to experience financial strain related to the coronavirus pandemic. If you can, please make an emergency donation today to support the critical work we’re doing together or even join our popular Monthly Giving program. Thank you.
 
 
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