Flattening the Curve with Social Distancing, Self-Isolation and Emergency UBI

I didn't write this article to ask for your vote. It hasn't been crafted to ask for any money. What I'm asking you to help save lives.

This is critical – we need to make personal and collective sacrifices to stop the spread of coronavirus. This means going beyond social distancing and handwashing.

Taking this threat seriously means immediately shutting down all non-essential businesses for at least the next four weeks. It means staying home.

Coronavirus is an unprecedented public health emergency that requires an unprecedented response. It is spreading so quickly that unless we dramatically change how we live, work and interact, the number of cases will overwhelm our health system, much like we’re seeing in Italy right now.

You may have seen the graphic being passed around social media around “flattening the curve.” We can slow the spread of the virus and save lives, but we need you to act.

We cannot wait until it feels like the right thing to do... It will be too late by then. We must act now. We must do our part to help end the rapid spread of this disease and Washington must do its part to help the hundreds of thousands of workers, entrepreneurs and small business owners who will not be able to economically survive the financial losses that they are facing.

You may be worried about your own health, or the health of your family, friends, and neighbors. The virus has disrupted daily life, and many of you are worried about keeping your job and paying your bills. This affects our kids, too, and we want to be sure they still get a good education.

But there is a plan that works. Based on what we know from other countries’ experience, we need drastic action now. Before the government mandates it, you can take the lead and start saving lives:

• If at all possible, stay home. Social distancing and voluntary self-isolation will save lives. It’s tempting to go out and live your life, but often the most caring thing we can do is stay home.
• If you own a business, consider sacrifices you can make to limit the spread of the virus, including shutting down any non-essential business for at least four weeks.
• We need a strong federal and state response that will provide assistance to families that will allow them to stay away from places of employment that will be closed. There is no such thing as working from home when you are a waiter or construction worker.

You’ve heard people say this will get worse before it gets better, but let’s be clear: based on the data from other countries and guidance from the CDC, the spread of coronavirus is likely to significantly disrupt our lives for at least the next eight weeks.

During this time, it’s important to get accurate information you can trust: The CDC is the foremost U.S. authority on COVID-19 and has excellent prevention advice. Local, state, and federal authorities having started to help, but there is much more to do. So far:

? Congress has passed a bill to deal with the impacts of the coronavirus, but the current plan only guarantees paid leave to 20% of workers. We must call on Congress to do more.

? The president’s declaration of a national emergency promised relief from student loan interest and expanded testing for coronavirus, with details still to come.

? School systems have partnered with non-profits and business to ensure students who ordinarily get their meals at school still have access to meals while schools are closed.

But more should be done.

We need student loan payment deferrals, bridge loans for small businesses and an emergency UBI stimulus paid to every American affected by the coronavirus.

In short, we must act now. We can’t wait until the government makes us do it – what we do today can save lives tomorrow.

This isn't a call for panic... it's a plea for precaution.

We need to fight the spread of this disease not as individuals but as a community. This can’t be about partisan politics – it has to be about what is best for our neighbors, what’s best for our county and our state. Ultimately, this is about what’s best for all Americans.

In solidarity,

Michael

#Coronavirus #EmergencyUBI #WenotMe