Issue Position: Fighting COVID

At the end of March, I began to feel sick like never before. After speaking to a doctor, it became clear I had symptoms of COVID-19. I was told to just stay home, that going out to seek treatment could expose me to more risks. I understood why the doctor said to stay home-- after all I didn't notice any change in my breathing.

Thankfully, I am feeling much better now. I have healthcare and access to a doctor, as long as I remain employed. Still, I can't help wondering-- if I lived in a different zip code, would I have been told that my symptoms were not severe? That it's unsafe to seek treatment for a potentially life-threatening condition? What will be the long term consequences of the illness-- and the inability of our healthcare system to provide me treatment for it?

Our political leadership has failed us. People are forced to do "essential labor" in unsafe conditions, and pay rent despite having no income. Incarcerated people are dying because they are trapped in unsanitary jails and detention centers. The Governor even had the nerve to balance this year's budget by cutting state Medicaid funding during a pandemic-- while proudly boasting on his national press conference that he's never raised taxes on anyone (not even millionaires and billionaires) during his three terms as governor.

It is time we elect people who will advocate for working class people, not the 1%.

Demanding Our Legislators Get Off The Sidelines
Our Albany legislators cannot continue to stay on the sidelines-- they must pass emergency legislation authorizing them to conduct legislative sessions remotely, and then get to work by raising taxes on the 1% and paying for the essential needs of New Yorkers. They cannot allow Governor Cuomo-- who cut Medicaid in his pandemic budget-- be the only decision maker in Albany during this crisis.

Testing and Treatment for All
Testing and treatment, and a vaccine when it becomes available, must be free at the point of access for all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status. We must fully fund and protect Medicaid and other subsidized healthcare programs during this pandemic. We must assure New York's nursing homes and healthcare workers have the resources they need to protect our most vulnerable.

Decriminalizing Public Health
We cannot criminalize noncompliance with safety requirements, like wearing masks and keeping a physical distance. These are not criminal matters, and should not be treated as such. We must instead implement a public health enforcement approach, by focusing on public education and production and broad distribution of free essential supplies, like hand sanitizer and masks.

Keeping Workers Safe
New York must require that all essential businesses, and non-essential businesses as they reopen, are required and able to provide safe working conditions under COVID, including personal protective equipment, physical distancing, and hazard pay. We must also pass universal unemployment insurance, that is available to all people regardless of their immigration status, to protect anyone who has lost their job as a result of COVID still has an income and healthcare.

Protecting Our Homes
More than ever, we must make sure New Yorkers have homes to stay in. That is why I support a full eviction and foreclosure moratorium for the duration of this crisis, forgiveness of mortgage and rent forgiveness laws that includes relief for small landlords, and a state-wide rent freeze to ensure nobody's rent is increased right now. I also stand with the advocates demanding compliance with COVID-19 safety guidance in shelters, and an immediate expansion of subsidies to move homeless families and individuals into safe, permanent homes.

Assuring Safety of Incarcerated New Yorkers
Reducing the population of our jails, prisons and immigration detention centers is especially important during this global health crisis. We must drastically reduce the number of incarcerated New Yorkers, prioritizing immediate release of vulnerable groups, such as all people over 50 and those with underlying health conditions, as well as non-violent offenders, those still awaiting trial, and those held for non-violent parole violations. Any that remain confined must receive quality healthcare, regular COVID tests, and the ability to stay at least six feet apart.

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