How we can work together to address the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge for our country, threatening our health, wellbeing and democracy. Now more than ever, we need to work together to ensure that our government has a coordinated, strategic response to safeguard the public’s health, protect consumers from emerging dangers and ensure people can still participate fully in our democracy.

U.S. PIRG has assembled a COVID-19 response team of policy experts, state advocates, organizers and researchers. And we are coordinating the efforts of the PIRGs around the country through our national lobbying office (U.S. PIRG). If we all pull together, we can find concrete ways to protect public health, consumers and our democracy. Here’s how you help:

  • <h4>Comprehensive testing now</h4><p>Our health professionals don’t have enough fast and accurate COVID-19 tests to meet the current crisis, and we’ll need widespread testing to be able to move beyond social distancing. We’re calling on the head of testing to immediately adopt a comprehensive testing plan to meet this need. <a href='https://uspirg.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=37828' style='text-decoration:underline!important;'>Take action.</a></p>
  • <h4>Prevent price gouging</h4><p>We need stronger action from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prevent sellers from taking advantage of consumers. <a href='https://uspirg.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=37230' style='text-decoration:underline!important;'>Take action.</a></p>
  • <h4>Consumer tips & resources</h4><p>We’ve assembled a set of consumer tips and guides, and will add more in the days and weeks to come. <a href='https://uspirg.org/feature/usp/consumer-tips' style='text-decoration:underline!important;'>Learn more.</a></p>
Shut down, start over, do it right

Few people living today remember what it was like to live through a world war, but that’s what we’re in, and we’re going to have to sacrifice if we want to save ourselves and each other. Just as the greatest generation did, we need to step up to what history has delivered.  

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Release ventilator repair information

As the demand for ventilators and equipment used to diagnose and treat COVID-19 rises, we need to make sure equipment is working. We are calling on manufacturers to make all their repair information and service keys available immediately, and recently some manufacturers, including GE and Zoll have responded. We're working to make sure that every ventilator manufacturer gives hospitals what they need.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Comprehensive testing now

Months into the COVID-19 pandemic, we still don't have the fast and accurate COVID-19 tests we need to curb and contain the pandemic. Without a nationally coordinated testing plan, local leaders can't get the testing, tracking and isolation system we need. The House coronavirus relief bill contains the support needed to repair our testing infrastructure, but so we are calling on the Senate to provide the national leadership on testing we need.  

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Protect healthcare workers now

We’re months into the COVID-19 crisis, and health professionals in some areas of the country still lack the supplies they need to protect themselves and care for patients. That's why we're calling on Congress to immediately pass the Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery Act, which would establish a central, transparent system for procuring and distributing critical medical supplies directly to impacted areas. 

Stronger action needed to prevent price gouging

Some businesses are still significantly inflating prices for critical supplies. We need stronger action from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prevent sellers from taking advantage of consumers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Share consumer tips & resources

How do you avoid phishing and other online scams? Can you get a refund for travel expenses? How do you protect your credit? We’ve assembled a set of consumer tips and guides, and will add more in the days to come. 

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Blog Post: Riding a bus, subway or rideshare? Here’s a look at safety measures adopted to combat COVID-19
From mask mandates to capacity limits, the largest public transit systems and ride share companies have new procedures.
Report: HIGH COVID-19 PRICES PERSIST ON AMAZON
U.S. PIRG Education Fund searched Amazon and other major retailers for 10 of the most popular COVID-19 consumer products, and found that ridiculous pandemic pricing is still an issue.
Blog Post: Don’t let COVID-19 keep you from necessary care
Wondering if it’s safe to seek out care now? Here’s three health care appointments you shouldn’t delay.
Blog Post: The Right to Repair could help address a critical shortage in school computers
Buying a refurbished computer can save money and cut waste. It might also be a key strategy in addressing the digital divide.
News Release: TOP ECONOMISTS CALL ON STATES TO ‘START OVER AND DO IT RIGHT’ TO CONTAIN COVID-19
“Our nation’s economy will remain in crisis as long as the COVID-19 virus spreads unchecked,” according to an open letter economists from leading universities signed in response to the botched pandemic response across the United States. The letter, circulated by U.S. PIRG, calls on public officials to “Start Over and Do It Right” to contain COVID-19 this time.
Blog Post: Progress in some states on COVID-19, but don’t pop the champagne yet
There's been some progress since U.S. PIRG and health experts across the country called on decision makers to shut down, start over, and do it right to contain COVID-19, but it's far too early to celebrate.
News Release: NEW CDC GUIDELINES OFFER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFE VOTING DURING COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance for voting safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The agency’s recommendations center around how to reduce dangerous crowding at polling places and how to minimize the risk of infection when voting.
Blog Post: How the pandemic could change our streets for the better
Cities across the country have opened up streets to pedestrians and cyclists during the pandemic. Here's the case for why they should stay open.
Blog Post: Six questions to ask before allowing a contractor into your home during the COVID-19 pandemic
Being proactive and demanding can help keep you and your family safe.
Blog Post: IF YOU’RE BEHIND ON YOUR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, HERE ARE SOME TIPS
Maybe you or a loved one are among the 30 million people who lost a job in the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Or maybe you’re one of the 18 million who no longer receives an extra $600 a week in unemployment. Or maybe you’ve taken a pay cut. If the COVID-19 pandemic affects your ability to pay, here’s what you need to know.
Report: CFPB COMPLAINTS SURGE DURING PANDEMIC, LED BY CREDIT REPORT COMPLAINTS
For the fifth consecutive month, consumer complaints to the CFPB set a new monthly complaint volume record in July, according to an analysis by U.S. PIRG and the Frontier Group. This snapshot focuses on spikes in complaints about credit reporting.
Tip Guide: PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM TOXIC HAND SANITIZERS
After the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) flagged five brands of potentially dangerous hand sanitizers in June, the list of products that may be contaminated with methanol has skyrocketed to about 60 brands, which makes 135 varieties of sanitizer.
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