As the global COVID19 crisis expands, threatening millions of lives and health systems around the globe, we must take decisive and urgent steps to protect our families, communities, healthcare and sanitation workers. Public health experts world over recommend we emulate the nations who have successfully contained the virus, such as China, Taiwan and Singapore with sweeping testing, healthcare and safety net measures. Governor Baker has taken a critical step in announcing the stay-at-home order in Massachusetts, however, our elected officials — from Governor Baker, to Congress, to the Presidency — continue to prioritize the profits of health insurance and pharmaceutical companies and major corporations at the expense of people’s well-being. Hospital systems across the country do not have the equipment or capacity to care for the volume of sick patients to come. We need bold, equitable and comprehensive action.

We, a united coalition of physicians, healthcare workers, community organizations, and concerned citizens call on Governor Baker to declare A Non-Militarized, Equitable Lockdown in Massachusetts. We call on our local and federal government to create the social and material conditions which would enable all residents of the Commonwealth to immediately comply with the stay-at-home order for the duration of the emergency. We further demand expansive testing and treatment and essential equipment to support our health system response. Moving forward, we demand future changes to the public health system and economy which will protect the Commonwealth, the nation and the world from similar future pandemics.

See the full list of demands at: https://medium.com/p/d093af917b18/