The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis for this country.

The virus is ten times more deadly than the seasonal flu, and it's more contagious to boot and because our government did not

act sooner to implement widespread testing and social distancing protocol America's

infection rate is climbing faster than countries more prepared to deal with the crisis.

The Center for Disease Control has advised that we stay at home as much as possible.

Avoid groups of more than 10 people,

disinfect surfaces and wash our hands frequently.

But the need to self-horoutine

has some unavoidable economic implications.

With employees grounded at home, industry is grinding to a halt in food service workers, mail delivery workers, nurses, doctors,

transportation workers and others on the front lines are at high risk of

exposure. Nearly one in five households have reported being laid off or having their hours cut back.

And unemployment has been predicted to get as high as 20 or 30 percent, possibly eclipsing unemployment members seen during the Great Depression.

Our public health system is unprepared for this crisis.

We don't have enough test kits to effectively track and contain the illness.

And moreover, because we are the only one of the wealthiest countries in the world

not to guarantee health care as a human right.

People who feel ill are afraid to get treatment for fear that it might bankrupt them.

In so many ways, the coronavirus has sped up the slow moving crises that were already in motion in this country.

Our economy is fragile because it's built on tax cuts for the rich and temporary and adequate relief for

working families.

Americans are extremely vulnerable to layoffs because 80% live paycheck to paycheck.

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