CORE MESSAGE

Since the pandemic began, most of us have been doing what we can to keep each other safe and healthy.

But a handful of politicians used lies and misinformation to distract and divide us, making basic public health protections controversial just so they could score political points. At the same time, greedy corporations and billionaires profited off the pandemic by raising prices and squeezing their workers while small businesses struggle and our families choose between groceries and gas.

We came together to fight for – and win – shots in arms, support for essential workers, expanded unemployment, help for struggling small businesses and survival checks when we needed them most. Now, we have to come together again so we can build the future we all deserve, no matter what we look like or where we live. Together, we can put people before profits and win guaranteed healthcare for all, paid family and medical leave, global vaccine access, and an economy where people come before profits.

WATCH IT IN ACTION

NEXT: POLLING + WORDS THAT WORK ↓

POLLING + Fast Facts

VOTERS SUPPORT PROGRESSIVE RESPONSES

Free access to testing, vaccines, and paid sick and family leave were all supported by at least 66% of all voters. Free testing and vaccines had the strongest support (75% and 76%). Access to comprehensive care is supported by 53% of voters – including 74% of Democrats.

BILLIONAIRES GOT RICHER DURING THE PANDEMIC

Billionaires got $1.7 trillion richer during the pandemic, enough to fully fund the expanded child tax credit or cancel all student loan debt!

DISABLED PEOPLE ARE AT HIGHEST RISK FROM COVID - AND THE PANDEMIC IS LEAVING MORE AMERICANS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

An estimated 24 million people are suffering from long COVID, and at least 1.2 million more adults are disabled compared to pre-pandemic numbers.

THE PANDEMIC HURT WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE

More than two-thirds of the net jobs lost since the pandemic began are women’s jobs and among parents who lost or quit a job during the pandemic, only 46% of mothers have gotten a new job, compared to 76% of fathers.

VOTERS SUPPORT INVESTING IN BUILDING PUBLIC PRODUCTION FACILITIES

69% of voters support investing in building public production facilities so that the U.S. is prepared to manufacture vaccines and critical drugs to combat the coronavirus in the future. Strong majorities also support expanding Medicare for people exposed to public health hazards and to cover dental care.

VOTERS WANT TO MAKE THE VACCINE WIDELY AVAILABLE AROUND THE WORLD

66% percent of voters support the executive order that will make the Walter Reed vaccine, created by the U.S. Army, available worldwide by sharing production technology with manufacturers.

Words that Work

This virus has shown that we pull through by pulling together, no matter what we look like or where we live.

Our health depends on keeping our friends and neighbors healthy too. This pandemic has shown we all have a stake in everyone getting the care they need.

While this virus has cost us lives and livelihoods, corporations are reporting record profits. On top of that, a handful of politicians want to cut trillions from the Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid that we all rely on.

Americans across race, place and party supported delivering relief for our families, supporting our schools, small businesses and states, ensuring working people could earn a living, and putting our lives and livelihoods back on track.

It doesn’t matter what we look like, where we live, or what’s in our wallets. None of us deserve to be treated like we are disposable.

COVID-19 is only highlighting what was always true - Black, brown and Indigenous people have been denied the adequate care and treatment that we all deserve. We need to implement proven solutions that address the underlying issues that created this problem - access to paid time to recover, healthcare, and a fair return on our work that allows us to make ends meet.

NEXT: TOOLS + RESOURCES ↓

Tools + Resources

For more information, we have included the following additional publicly available resources below. These resources do not necessarily reflect the policy positions of the Progressive Caucus Action Fund.