PA government must protect us all during the coronavirus pandemic

Just Harvest joined more than 50 other Pennsylvanian organizations in signing onto the following letter, which was sent this week. Please sign the petition to urge our state officials to swiftly adopt these measures to protect working families and other vulnerable people.

Governor Tom Wolf and Leaders of the State Legislature: It’s Time to Take Care of All of Us

We call on Governor Wolf and the State Legislature to take every possible action to contain the spread of COVID-19 and alleviate the health and financial burden on working families and our most vulnerable citizens. We, the undersigned, call on Governor Wolf and the State Legislature to act immediately:

Expand Healthcare Access

• Fully paid leave for any COVID-19 related issue, including sick time, furlough, self-quarantine, and providing care to family members who have contracted the illness;
• Free COVID-19 testing and treatment, regardless of insurance status or background; and
• Protections from disciplinary action or reduced hours from employers against workers who utilize sick time or leave due to COVID-19 related issues;
• No profits from this crisis: private corporations providing public health services must do so at no cost, and any eventual vaccine must be made available cost-free to the public.

Economic Relief for Working Families and All Impacted People

• Immediate cash assistance to all people in Pennsylvania to stabilize finances for families, small businesses, and our economy;
• Expansion of our unemployment compensation system to allow the rapid processing of new unemployment applications as a result of COVID-19 related layoffs and closures;
• Suspension of foreclosures, utility shutoffs (water, electric, internet), evictions, credit defaults, school loan payments, and other liens for workers who may be laid off or have reduced hours for the duration of the national public health emergency;
• Procurement of hotels and motels to provide shelter for homeless families; and
• Enhancement of food security programs for Pennsylvania’s working families, the elderly, and children by increasing funding for nutrition assistance programs.

Protect our Values, Safety, and Voices

• Implementation of aggressive legal and regulatory measures to prhaevent price gouging for common household goods, especially those necessary to prevent and treat COVID-19;
• Immediate release of incarcerated individuals who have been charged with non-violent offenses, including undocumented immigrants, but are imprisoned due to an inability to post bail;
• Expansion of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to properly investigate attacks on Pennsylvania’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, as well as to educate, and inform the public to prevent discrimination that may result as a result of this pandemic;
• Additional funding to protect our democracy, including ensuring an accurate 2020 Census count and ensuring fair elections in Pennsylvania during the pandemic.

The choices our government makes now to help us weather the outbreak of this virus can also set a better course for the future of our communities. Now is the time for us to unite across our differences and make policy choices that help every-day people in pursuit of a safe and thriving nation.

SIGN THE PETITION