CALL TO ACTION #945: Trump, If You Want to Stop COVID-19, Wear a Mask! (June 17, 2020)
139 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
***Today’s Call To Action***
TRUMP, IF YOU WANT TO STOP COVID-19,
WEAR A MASK!
As Covid-19 hotspots flare across the US, hitting Black families especially hard, new high-quality studies show that:
- The corona virus’s “dominant route” of transmission is through large droplets and minute aerosols suspended in the air.
- Masks are “the most effective means to prevent” airborne transmission.
- If 50% of the population began wearing masks, “it would (flatten) future disease waves and (allow) for less stringent lockdowns.”
- If a large enough portion of the population wore masks, the outbreak would burn out.
While masks offer the best hope to control the outbreak, they have their own political baggage. Trump supporters reject the science and argue mask demands infringe on their freedom of choice. Black people worry that wearing a mask will draw undue police attention.
But even Republican governors urge their populations to reject the notion masks are a political statement.
Trump refuses to wear a mask and has moved the Republican convention to Florida, a state that will not require conventioneers to wear masks. This is almost criminal.
The US continues to see about 20,000 new Covid-19 cases and hundreds of deaths daily.
New hotspots will increase demands for lockdowns.
Both can be significantly reduced by the widespread use of masks.
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because…
…it is becoming clear that widespread use of masks is the most effective tool to reduce Covid-19’s medical and financial impacts. I ask that you:
- Always wear a mask in public.
- Constantly recommend others wear masks.
- Demand Trump to wear a mask to model the best behavior and reduce the political associations of masks.
Thank you.”
SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because…
…it is becoming clear that widespread use of masks is the most effective tool to reduce Covid-19’s medical and financial impacts. I ask that you:
- Always wear a mask in public.
- Constantly recommend others wear masks.
- Demand Trump to wear a mask to model the best behavior and reduce the political associations of masks.
History is watching; Greg’s legacy and the lives of his constituents is at stake.
Thank you.”
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**
TODAY: June 17, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ongoing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
#MyORHealth Support is available for Oregon’s “helpers”
Lines for Life has created a Virtual Wellness Room to offer support to helpers, mental health professionals, first responders, social workers and anyone considered an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon. Each check-in call will have a facilitator to guide the conversation.
“We at Lines for Life want to thank you for all the work you do to keep our communities safe,” the organization said. “We are offering a place for helpers to exchange stories of hope and areas of need. We especially want to hear what things are coming up for you personally and explore how we can cheer one another on to continue the good work you are already doing. We ultimately want to create space to breathe out stress and breathe in hope.”
The meetings are held using Zoom conference calls from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this link: https://zoom.us/j/4848426773. Please share this invite with anyone in your network of Oregon helpers.
Friday Night at the Guerrilla Drive-In – Medford
June 19 @ 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/friday-night-at-the-guerrilla-drive-in-medford/
Ongoing Action: ORD2 Indivisible Virtual Postcard and Letter Writing Parties
Postcards to Voters:
Our postcard team is temporarily suspending the delivery of postcards to your door. However, the good news is that you will find everything you need to continue writing from home (including templates to print your own or purchase pre-printed cards) here: https://postcardstovoters.org
You can sign up through https://postcardstovoters.org/volunteer/
To avoid unnecessary trips to the post office, order stamps directly from the USPS:
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/coral-reefs-postcard-stamp-S_745104
…and voila, you’re ready to go! Send an e-mail to with any questions.
Letters to Voters
We encourage our team of volunteers to sign up with Swing Left to start writing letters to voters in 12 swing states. It is super easy to join. Check out their website, sign up, and let’s start writing! https://swingleft.org/
Send an e-mail to if you would like more information about how to get involved.
Virtual Letter-writing Parties
We encourage you to join virtual letter-writing parties hosted by Oregon Indivisible / Swing Left. The parties are held at noon every Saturday and on the last Tuesday of every month. Here are the links for the next two parties:
https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/267146/
**Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/
SOURCES:
Identifying airborne transmission as the dominant route for the spread of COVID-19 | PNAS
Face Masks May Be The Key Determinant Of The Covid-19 Curve, Study Suggests
Widespread mask-wearing could prevent covid-19 second waves, study says – The Washington Post
Coronavirus: Why are we at war over face masks?
PolitiFact | Masks for COVID-19 are effective, as a six-part Facebook takedown fails
Orange County rescinds coronavirus mask mandate – Los Angeles Times
Widespread mask-wearing could prevent COVID-19 second waves: study – Reuters
Fauci: Mask advice was because of doctors’ shortages from the start – Business Insider