TRUMP WATCH
Ohio Workers Paying the Price for Trump’s Failed Coronavirus Response
More than one million Ohioans have lost their jobs since the coronavirus crisis erupted, and the national unemployment rate has reached a level not seen since the Great Depression — the consequences of Donald Trump’s failure to prepare and a fragile economy that was vulnerable to a disastrous crash once the pandemic hit.
“Ohio lost 12,500 jobs from January 2019 to January 2020, and that was before the coronavirus crisis hit,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper. “Donald Trump lied when he promised Ohioans that their jobs were ‘all coming back’ and ‘new factories will come rushing onto our shores.’ Donald Trump lied when he said ‘Ohio just had the best year economically in the history of your state.’ No one should believe Trump when he says that the jobs lost because of the coronavirus ‘will all be back and they’ll be back very soon.’
“It didn’t have to be this way. Donald Trump constantly downplayed the coronavirus threat and didn’t take it seriously enough. His slow and chaotic response made things worse, and he’s failed to deliver on his promises, just as he did with Lordstown, with trade and with health care. Working Ohioans are continuing to pay the price for Trump’s broken promises.”
OHIO DEMS IN THE HEADLINES
Ohio Dems Fight to Protect Workers
Ohio Senate Democratic Leader Kenny Yuko is calling for more coronavirus testing in all Ohio prisons and nursing homes, saying, “Ohio’s essential workers deserve every possible safety measure. This is especially critical in facilities where residents are confined together and distancing is nearly impossible.
“We’ve seen how quickly this virus spreads through nursing homes and prisons, yet frontline workers enter these buildings every day to do their jobs without complaint. The least we can do is provide adequate testing.”
State Rep. Lisa Sobecki and state Rep. Kristin Boggs testified this week in support of legislation that would allow employees infected by COVID-19, while working, to file Workers’ Compensation claims.
“In many cases, Ohioans faced uncertainty and risked their health, and the health of their families, to continue to work ‘essential’ jobs. For example, Becky Buckeye on Alexis Street, working at a grocery store, was asked to step-up during the midst of a crisis where there was not adequate testing and PPE,” said Sobecki. “When Becky contracts COVID-19 because she was working outside of the home, just like in many other circumstances, she should be able to file a claim for Workers’ Comp.”
“Those working on the frontlines during this pandemic have been heroes,” said Boggs. “The state deemed these employees essential to keep Ohio running. After sacrificing their health to keep Ohioans safe, fed and supplied, they should not have to fear the economic consequence of contracting COVID-19.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Even though campaigning has moved online, there are still lots of virtual events happening.
For example, many county parties will be holding a reorganization meeting via Zoom in the coming weeks. If you were recently elected as a precinct or ward leader, you should attend this virtual meeting for your county Democratic Party. All meetings will be livestreamed on each county party’s Facebook page. Email Simon Dallas at sdallas@ohiodems.org for more information.
If you want to find out more about the presidential campaign, click here to find Team Biden events.
More virtual events:
- Saturday, May 16 — Ohio Young Democrats Convention
- Saturday, May 16 — 11th Annual Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus Virtual Brunch and Conversation with Sen. Kamala Harris, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge and Mayor Nan Whaley
- Saturday, May 16 — Virtual Postcard Writing Party for Sara Bitter for Ohio House
- Saturday, May 16 — College Democrats of Ohio Virtual Organizing Training
- Sunday, May 17 — Ohio College Students for Biden Virtual Community Meeting
- Sunday, May 17 — Virtual Phone Bank Training with Betsy Rader for Ohio Senate
- Wednesday, May 20 — Westside Democratic Club May Club Meeting
- Wednesday, May 20 — Fighting for Our Hometown Families Zoom Discussion with Joel Newby for Congress
- Wednesday, May 20 — Virtual Screening of RIGGED: The Voter Suppression Playbook
- Wednesday, May 20 — College Democrats of America Zoom Series with Sen. Elizabeth Warren
- Saturday, May 23 — State Rep. Phil Robinson Virtual Office Hours
