Category: Safety Net
Mnuchin uses debunked GOP talking point to justify slashing $600 unemployment boost
The Millionaire Treasury Secretary is “Inflicting suffering on tens of millions of Americans by cutting unemployment benefits because of an anecdotal ‘some cases’ argument that has been refuted again and again is a stupid way to make…
Economic recovery sputters as benefits expire, GOP takes heat
“Enhanced unemployment insurance benefits expire tomorrow because congressional Republicans failed to extend them. ‘Malpractice’ is far too weak a word for this epic, cruel failure.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer On May 11, Senate Majority Leader…
New coronavirus hot spots emerge across South and in California, as Northeast slows, cases up in Arizona
By the end on June 9th Arizona Cases totaled 28,296 an increase of 4,000 cases in 3 days. by Martha Bebinger, WBUR and Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio and Jackie Fortiér, KPCC June 10, 2020 Mass…
Nearly 60% of Americans support extending boosted unemployment benefits as Trump and McConnell say let them expire
“The across-the-board $600 increase in weekly unemployment benefits should be extended well past its expiration at the end of July—until unemployment is falling rapidly and is at a manageable level.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday,…
What the coronavirus crisis reveals about vulnerable populations behind bars and on the streets
by Stephanie Hartwell, Wayne State University; Ijeoma Nnodim Opara, Wayne State University, and Sheryl Kubiak, Wayne State University The notion that COVID-19 is an equal opportunity killer has crumbled. The health and economic fallout from…
Democrats urged to end delay, fight like hell for Covid-19 relief that puts people first
“If these are truly legislative priorities for members of Congress, as they should be, they need to start fighting for them.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Progressive frustration with the Democratic leadership is boiling over following…
Coronavirus put her out of work, then debt collectors Froze her savings account
Kim Boatswain’s tax refund could have helped her get through the coronavirus slowdown. But debt collectors seized it. There are few options for Texans like Boatswain whose money was taken just before the state temporarily banned…
Real life, real tragedies in the pandemic
Pearl River Trump is in trouble, and it’s getting worse. Reportedly, top Republicans and their political strategists are trying to tell him that his daily press meanderings are hurting him, and that he needs to step…
Navajo and Hopi grassroots group bringing food and water as coronavirus spreads
“I know these are difficult times. But let’s remember we are never alone,” said Cassandra Begay, Communications Lead with the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund, “Let’s remember the important relationships we have that are…
Hospitals have left many COVID-19 patients who don’t speak English alone, confused and without proper care
One medical worker told us: “It takes 10 minutes of sitting on the phone to get an interpreter, and that’s valuable time when you’re inundated. So this utilitarian calculus kicks in. And the patients that are…
With bills due April 1, more than 400,000 demand Congress freeze all rent, mortgage, and utility payments
“Millions are wondering how they’ll pay their rent or mortgage by tomorrow. We need additional emergency action suspending rent, mortgage and utility payments for the duration of this crisis.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer More than…
Job guarantees, basic income can save us from COVID-19 depression
A universal basic income and a job guarantee are critical ways to help us weather the economic storm of the coronavirus pandemic. (Shutterstock) by D.T. Cochrane, York University, Canada COVID-19 is both a public health crisis…
GOP Senate Trio threatens to delay stimulus bill because unemployment benefits amid pandemic are too generous
“Senate Republicans are just so inhumane they can’t imagine policymakers intentionally providing working people with enough money to temporarily live on in the event they’re laid off.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer This is a developing…
Virus exposes gig economy for predatory business model it promoted
By Wade Rathke New Orleans A lot of Silicon Valley are self-isolating in what should be shame as their app-based, platform capitalism, or whatever they wanted to call it, is exposed as little more than…
Flagstaff Family Food Center updates request for help
The national and local response to COVID-19 is rapidly changing and the Flagstaff Family Food Center is being responsive to these changes. Here is our most recent update: To comply with CDC guidelines of avoiding gathering…
America’s poorest children won’t get nutritious meals with school cafeterias closed due to the coronavirus
Thurston Domina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Schools aren’t only places where kids learn. They are also places where kids eat. Thanks to the National School Lunch Program, 30 million U.S. children – some…
New polling shows widespread US public support for paid sick leave, Medicare for all to fight coronavirus
“Humane policies are popular policies.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer CommonDreams Strong majorities of U.S. voters across the political spectrum support an array of progressive policy proposals that would provide immediate relief to those affected by the…
Judge blocks Trump effort to strip food assistance from 700,000 people
Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. stressed the importance of such programs in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. by Andrea Germanos, staff writer A federal judge on Friday cited…
Paid sick leave loopholes: ‘There’s a giant hole in Pelosi’s coronavirus bill’
“The bill guarantees sick leave only to about 20 percent of workers.” by Common Dreams staff Early Saturday morning the US House of Representatives voted 363-40 to pass a coronavirus relief package, days after the World…
Coronavirus could hit homeless hard, and that could hit everyone hard
Michael Cousineau, University of Southern California As the number of cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, continues to grow, the nation is on edge. Doctors and scientists do not know what percentage of…
Trump moves to take Food Stamps from over a million people
“Really it’s a cruel rule, taking food out of the mouths of hungry individuals.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer, CommonDreams The Trump administration announced this week that it has no plans to scrap—or, at the very…
House Democrats propose sending checks of up to $6,000 to help ease workers’ pain during coronavirus pandemic
“As more folks are staying in and taking necessary steps to avoid spread of the coronavirus, more Americans will struggle to cover basic needs like rent, groceries, and medicines.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer As President…
Jeff Bezos, Whole Foods wants workers to pay for colleagues’ sick leave during coronavirus pandemic
“Absolute bullshit. With the amount Jeff Bezos makes in one day, he could shut stores down and pay employees to stay safe.” by Jon Queally, staff writer When progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders say “now…
Emergency Medical Responders have lacked guidance and are stretched for supplies and personnel to combat coronavirus
Key direction from the CDC on how to protect emergency responders came after the first American case and the exposure of at least one firefighter. It’s yet another example of a fragmented and halting response at…
