By Dr. Bill Honigman, Healthcare Human Rights, Coordinator – Progressive Democrats of America

Just a few words on the pandemic and the continued struggle for Healthcare justice in America.

This week the US remains in first place as the gold medalist of #COVID19 deaths, not a good thing, at 804,885 total in the US today according to the Harvard University Daily Tracker.  And we know according to the Lancet Commission Study published last February, that of those who have died, some 321,954 now would be alive today if we had a #SinglePayer expanded and improved #MedicareForAll system in place to deal with this public health crisis.

The US stands today at only 61.3% of our population totally vaccinated, and less than half of those boosted, and that puts us ranked according to the Johns Hopkins Resource Center at only #58 in the world, just behind Thailand, and just ahead of Peru.  Idaho once again this week ranks the worst state in the nation at 45.88%, which is behind the global average of 46.7%.

Further, the “blizzard” of Omicron infections, described by Dr. Michael Osterholm, epidemiologist and Biden COVID19 Advisory Board Member, that’s headed our way after the holidays, and the challenges expected under our still very inadequate fragmented market-based profit-first health system, will be ugly and tragic, and it will impact those already unjustly struck by this pandemic even harder in these coming first months of the new year.

Finally, I would just point out that like everyone else in this country, we progressives are looking to President Biden, in his speech scheduled to be given this Tuesday, to perhaps lead our way out of this crisis.  Hopefully, he can do so now with new and more decisive executive action, and will ultimately push for action codified in law, that recognizes that until we have Universal HC, that by definition provides ALL of the care for ALL of the people, including worldwide vaccines, and full COVID and non-COVID care here at home, that reduces risk, as well as provides for all of the elements needed, including universal testing, contact tracing, and support for our frontline HC workers, we will not get control of this pandemic, or of those pandemics to come, as predicted with rising global temperatures.

Thanks, and everyone, please get your booster!

RSVP HERE for the next PDA Sunday Progressive Town Hall, Sundays, 4pm ET.

Watch the previous PDA Healthcare Emergency Town Halls here.

Watch the previous PDA Sunday Progressive Town Halls here.

​