President Trump wants to blame the World Health Organization (WHO) for his shortcomings in protecting the American public. He announced that he will suspend our committed funding to the organization. This is reckless. This funding is critical to fight the Pandemic, and he wants to cripple the organization. President Trump is getting ready to put you in danger, for his political gain. He wants us to go back to normal, to have businesses open, states to cease their emergency declarations; claiming he has the sole authority over states. We have never seen anything like this. With more deaths than any other country in the world, and over 30% of the infection cases (over 640,000), all this President can think about is his reelection campaign.
I have heard from countless family and friends in New York City about the hurting that is taking place there. Today, and in the coming days, you will hear from this White House that you need to start planning to get out there. This, in spite of nearly all doctors and scientists saying that we are not ready. We DON’T have a vaccine or a cure for COVID-19 (Corona Virus), we don’t have clear guidance on how to protect ourselves (some recommend face coverings, but the President says it is optional), AND there are not enough tests so we can limit the spread of the virus.
It is clear that we have no credible organized effort to deal with this Pandemic at the national level, so we must rely on our local officials. In many of these communities we are seeing a large number of deaths reported in black and brown communities. And from what we have been able to see, and experience, from this WHITE house, black and brown people are not exactly at the top of the priority list for this President. People in the health industry know what they need to do to protect themselves from this virus, so my plead is to you who may not have a choice and will need to get out there so you can feed your family, or to you who is getting mixed signal on how to protect you self: Please adhere to the guidance of your local officials who have your safety in mind. Here in DC, visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/ which is a very well put together resources page, with guidance on protocol to stay safe, numbers to call for emergencies, testing, and request for food.
Today is DC Emancipation Day. A day that marks the anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act, which President Abraham Lincoln signed on April 16, 1862, and freed over 3,100 people in the Nation’s Capital. Usually around this time, in addition to the painful reality that we Washingtonians are reminded of federal taxes we have to pay a government that disenfranchises every resident of our city, we would be holding commemorative events throughout the city. But while we won’t have the traditional parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, I invite you to join the on-line celebration TODAY starting at noon: https://zoom.us/j/93964608422?pwd=aUp5czdWczlSM09MY2NBWUY4Q21Cdz09
Thank you and stay safe.
Franklin Garcia
US Representative (Shadow) for the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW C-09
Washington DC 20004
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