CALL TO ACTION #950: COVID-19 Surges; Trump Abandons the Fight (June 24, 2020)



132 Days

Until the November 3rd Election


***Today’s Call To Action***

COVID-19 SURGES

TRUMP ABANDONS THE FIGHT


COVID-19 is exploding in dozens of statesExperts warn the next six months of C-19 will be as bad, or worse, than the last six. By Election Day, the USA may past 200,000 deaths. 

 

Now the virus is slicing through the South and Southwest. More young people are developing C-19. This may account for a declining number of deaths. But these young people might infect more vulnerable populationsIn that case, fatality rates will soar.

Public health experts abroad worry Trump has abandoned the COVID-19 fight. He has: 

  • Withheld $14 billion designated for testing and tracing. 
  • Disparaged the wearing of masks, which are the most effective anti-infection tool. 
  • Organized indoor rallies, which are potential super spreading festivals.  

Trump’s most lethal failure is failing to produce a comprehensive national C-19 strategy

He passed that job to governors, they often passed it to mayors. The resulting patchwork leaves well-managed states vulnerable to a neighbor’s shortcomings. 

Trump’s failure to develop a coordinated national strategy drawing on the resources of the federal government will:

  • Kill thousands more
  • Hobble the economy
  • Exacerbate unemployment
  • Prolong the fight, even as other nations are opening.

Congress must hold hearings to develop an effective COVID-19 strategy to guide the states and educate the public.


**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 extremely concerned about the recent surge of COVID-19 cases. Without national leadership, we have 50 states, DC, and the territories with their own plans. I urge you to call for a coordinated national response that will leverage the authority and resources of the federal government. Developing such a response will educate the public, highlight shortcomings, and give the next president a roadmap for rapid action.

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/

 

SENATOR RON WYDEN

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 extremely concerned about the recent surge of COVID-19 cases. This happens at a time when other countries are safely reopening. Trump has not provided a national strategy, so we have 50 states, DC, the territories and more localities with their own approach. We need a national strategy to fight COVID-19 and I urge you to call for experts to develop one, to educate the public, and to help prepare for the next wave.

To remain silent on so many issues, as Greg continues to do, is a moral outrage. If that is his decision, I call on him to resign his office effective immediately. 

Where’s Walden? History is watching; Greg’s legacy is at stake. 

Thank you.”

COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN

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**

June 24, 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.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Virtual Town Hall – Umatilla, Union, Wallowa & Morrow Counties
June 25 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-virtual-town-hall-2/

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Virtual Town Hall – Deschutes, Crook & Jefferson Counties
June 29 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-virtual-town-hall-deschutes-crook-jefferson-counties/

Coming Friday, July 3rd to the Guerrilla Drive-In… ‘The Brainwashing of My Dad’
July 3 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/coming-friday-july-3rd-to-the-guerrilla-drive-in-the-brainwashing-of-my-dad/

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/