PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good - Blog

ACA Deadline for Laid-Off Workers

6/2/2020

ACA Deadlines Near For Laid-Off Workers

Health Care Reform Forum

Workers who were laid off due to the coronavirus shutdown, and who lost their employer health insurance, have a 60-day window of opportunity to seek replacement insurance on the Affordable Care Marketplace.

Low-income or unemployed workers may be eligible for subsidized insurance on the ACA. If you know anyone who might qualify for this benefit, encourage them to go to www.healthcare.gov/ to see if they qualify. They must apply within 60 days of becoming unemployed.

Frank Samuelson

After Action Report -" the Story of Plastics" Discussion

5/5/2020

The Story of Plastics Zoom Happy Hour - After Action Report

Environmental Forum

In lieu of our postponement of Earth Day events, we placed an ad in local papers for the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, and wish to thank the PACG Board for providing funding for that announcement. We also co-sponsored a virtual showing of the film, the Story of Plastics, along with the Rock Island Soil and Conservation District, the Niabi Zoo, and the UU Congregation of the QC. The film was on the Discovery Channel, or available virtually through a link. We then offered a followup Happy Hour on Zoom to discuss the film and listen to local leaders who are working with methods of reducing plastic pollution: Joel Vanderbush from the Zoo, Kurt Liske from the Scott County Waste Commission, Karen Neder from Terracycle, and Dawn Temple of RISCD. We had nearly 20 people online for the happy hour! We all agreed to continue our work on plastics in the QC through the Plastic Free QC initiative started through the BICAN.

We plan on having our originally scheduled Earth Day activities in July, with "the Vision for the Future" event at the Botanical Center on Thursday, July 16th, and the Earth Day Fair at the Farmers Market on Saturday, July 18th. We hope to see you all there.

Remember to make every day Earth Day!

Lori McCollum

COVID-19 Victims Remembrance

5/5/2020

COVID-19 Victims Remembrance - Friday, May 8th at 3:00 pm

The Catholic Diocese of Davenport, Edwards Congregational United Church of Christ, Hope United Church of Christ, One Human Family, Metropolitan Community Church, Muslim Community of the Quad Cities, Progressive Action for the Common Good, Quad City Interfaith, QC Pride, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, St. Mary’s Monastery, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Temple Emmanuel, Third Missionary Baptist Church, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, and others call upon all people of faith and goodwill throughout Scott County to participate in a COVID-19 Victims Remembrance.

All Scott County residents are invited to join together by stepping outside (following CDC social distancing guidelines) to ring a bell, blow a horn, beat a drum or make any noise to signal support and solidarity for our neighbors suffering from COVID-19. A moment of noise should be followed by a minute of prayer or silent reflection for all those in pain, finally asking “How can I help?”

Why:

The coronavirus has caused unrelenting grief among the families and friends of the estimated 200 Iowans who will have succumbed to the disease by May 8th.
The economic hardships created by the virus will cost Iowans hundreds of millions dollars and require years to recover.

How:

Church bells will chime across the county at 3 pm on May 8th in support of COVID-19 Victims.

Allison Ambrose, President

PACG Book Club for May 2020 - Sherlock Holmes

4/25/2020

PACG Book Club - Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Monday, May 18th at 5:30 pm via Zoom

The PACG Book Club will meet in May via Zoom, using Alta Price’s Zoom license. Contact her if you need instructions on how to use Zoom. Also, please RSVP to Alta to let her know you are coming so she can send you a special invitation (by email) from inside the Zoom meeting in case you have trouble joining the meeting.

Click on Alta Price to RSVP or with questions.

The PACG Book Club is reading selected stories from Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We will also discuss the documentary “How Sherlock Changed the World,” which is available for free on Amazon Prime. The film interviews modern day forensic scientists about the impact the Sherlock Holmes stories had on the development of our modern methods of crime scene investigation.

Reading selections:

The Sherlock Holmes - the Ultimate Collection kindle book is available for 99 cents. It is very lengthy, but includes all of the Sherlock Holmes stories and novellas, in order of publication. Feel free to choose your own version, as long as it includes the stories below. We are choosing selections that pair nicely with the documentary. The stories are:

A Study In Scarlet - because it is referenced in the documentary
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia - this one was the actual first story that Conan Doyle got published about Holmes (it was re-published in this book again later)
The Memoirs of Sherlock Homes - the Final Problem - Conan Doyle kills off his detective in this story so that the author could write other books he was more interested in
The Hound of the Baskervilles - due to public outrage over the loss of their hero, Holmes, Doyle revives his detective
The Return of Sherlock Holmes - The Adventure of the Empty House - Doyle explains what happened at the Reichenbach Falls in the Final Problem

The documentary:

"How Sherlock Changed the World" has two episodes, each about 55 minutes in length. If you have an Amazon Prime account, you can watch them for free. If not, they cost $2.99 apiece. I also found them free at PBS, although I think that is only if you contribute a certain amount to Public TV. Again, contact Alta if you have trouble finding the documentary.

We will discuss both the book and the documentary, but if you don’t have time to read and watch, feel free to join the discussion anyway.

Click on Alta Price to RSVP or with questions.

PACG Supports the Protect Iowa Workers Statement

4/21/2020

PACG signs on to Protect Iowa Workers

A Message to our Membership

PACG has signed on to the Protect Iowa Workers statement to join a broad coalition of Iowans calling on the Iowa Governor, the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa OSHA to protect the safety of Iowa's workers during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

This statement is part of a larger campaign to protect Iowa's workers, including immigrants and refugees. Various organizations are raising awareness of the fear reported from people who are concerned about their safety in their workplaces, and the health of their families and communities.

Together we hope to increase worker safety and protection.

Allison Ambrose, President

What You Can Do Now - Iowa Absentee Ballot Request Form in the Mail

4/21/2020

Look for Your Iowa Absentee Ballot Request Form

Civil Rights Forum

Absentee Ballot Voting in Iowa for June Primary Election

On March 31st, the Des Moines Register reported that, due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office will mail every registered voter in Iowa an absentee ballot request form before the state’s June 2nd primary. The State is encouraging voters to consider voting by mail so that the virus will not be spread among polling site workers and residents. In addition, the early voting period for mail-in ballots has been extended.

If you haven't received your request form in the US Mail by May 5th, contact your County Auditor's Office. Read much more in our Blog Post.

Contact the PACG Webmaster with questions.

What You Can Do Now - Earth Day Action Steps

4/21/2020

Earth Day Action Steps - Wednesday, April 22nd

Environmental Forum

This year we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22nd.

You can celebrate Earth Day in many ways:

Sing “I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet” or another earth-based song.
Go for a walk and notice what you see, hear, smell, and feel.
Clean out your old toxic household supplies and stock up on non-toxic cleaners.
Cook a plant-based dinner.
Make cloth grocery bags from some old t-shirts. Patterns can be found online.
Write a letter or postcard to your local, state and federal political leaders about an environmental issue.
Pick a national or state park you plan to visit this summer.
Teach your kids about an endangered species or learn more yourself.
Make a pledge to reduce single-use plastics.
Check your voter registration status: http://www.nass.org/can-I-vote

What You Can Do Now - Celebrate Earth Week Virtually

4/21/2020

Virtual Earth Week Celebration - Wednesday, April 22nd

Environmental Forum

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PACG-sponsored celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day has been postponed to July. As we’re waiting for the pandemic crisis to pass, the climate crisis continues and we need to continue to help the earth heal. There are virtual Earth Day events that are happening you can participate in at your convenience.

“The Story of Plastic” will be televised globally on Discovery Channel on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd, at 1 pm CDT (check your local listings). Additional virtual showings are being arranged, and will be announced on our Environmental Forum Facebook pag e. Join us for a virtual Happy Hour on Friday, April 24th at 5 pm to discuss actions we can take locally to reduce/eliminate the use of single-use plastic. Click here to RSVP.
PACG is sponsoring the April 22nd Earth Day Rally hosted by Environment Iowa. Visit IowaVirtualEarthDay to register now.
The Team Sierra is bringing their Earth Day celebration from outdoors to indoors. To register for their events go to: teamsierra.org/everycorner

For additional virtual Earth Week events, visit our blog at pacgqc.org/blog/online-earth-week-activities.

Susan Leuthauser

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day - A Message to Our Membership

4/21/2020

We Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!!

A Message to Our Membership

Hello Progressives!

Wednesday, April 22nd is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!

Our Environmental Forum has worked hard all year to make this anniversary a special event. Unfortunately, the live events will not be occurring as planned, but the forum has made sure that we do have some virtual ways to celebrate. Look for details in today's newsletter.

I want to give a SHOUT OUT to the Environmental Forum for all they have done to help us remember how precious our planet is.

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Allison Ambrose, President

A Message to Our Members - Protecting Iowa Workers

4/19/2020

PACG Signs On to Protect Workers

A Message to Our Members

Protect the Lives and Safety of All Iowa Workers

Right now in Iowa’s fields, factories, and warehouses, in our hospitals, nursing homes, post offices, grocery stores, and beyond, thousands of Iowans are risking their lives to provide food, health care, and other essential services while facing high risks of exposure to COVID-19 in their workplaces.

For weeks, workers, labor unions, advocates, and the media have been reporting unsafe working conditions to employers and state agencies. But state leaders have refused to set any clear expectations for Iowa employers, and OSHA and other state agencies charged with protecting workers have been missing in action. Meanwhile, too many major Iowa businesses continue to operate with few or no safety measures in place.

We know that existing racial and economic inequities in our communities are exacerbated by this pandemic, and temp workers, low wage workers, workers of color, and immigrant and refugee workers are at particular risk. While workers have the right to report unsafe working conditions, many have reason to fear retaliation. Those brave enough to come forward too often find their reports falling on deaf ears.

We are already seeing the impact of unsafe working conditions, with multiple meatpacking and manufacturing plants shutting down due to the quick spread of COVID-19 among unprotected workers. We cannot afford to wait. We demand that our state leaders take immediate action and direct all Iowa employers to protect workers from further unnecessary exposure.

We call on Governor Kim Reynolds to protect the lives and safety of all Iowa workers by:

1. Immediately requiring all Iowa employers to follow federal CDC and OSHA guidance on steps to take to prevent workplace exposure.

At a minimum, steps must include:

Ceasing all non-essential operations and providing paid leave or access to unemployment benefits for affected workers.
Allowing employees who can work from home to do so.
Encouraging sick workers to stay home with pay, and eliminating barriers (i.e. doctor’s notes, discipline for absences) to taking sick leave.
Improving ventilation (e.g., increasing ventilation rates, installing high-efficiency air filters, negative pressure ventilation in certain settings).
Installing physical barriers (e.g., clear plastic sneeze guards).
Maintaining six feet or more between workers by moving workstations, slowing line speeds, or staggering shifts.
Arranging for staggered or longer break times so workers can maintain a distance of six feet during all breaks or meals.
Providing adequate sanitation supplies (soap, towels, gloves, sanitizers) and a clean working environment.
Ensuring that all work surfaces are kept clean and sanitized as often as needed.
Allowing easy and frequent access to bathrooms or hand washing stations, and providing workers with regular breaks to wash hands.
Allowing workers to wash hands upon arriving to work/entering the workplace, and ensuring full pay for all required preparation and clean-up time
Providing frequent, up-to-date education and training on COVID-19, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitation procedures, or other relevant safety measures, in workers’ preferred languages.
Offering hazard pay and/or bonuses to all essential workers.

2. Ensuring all exposed workers access to medical care and emergency assistance, regardless of health insurance coverage or immigration status.

3. Directing Iowa Workforce Development to provide workers’ compensation to workers who contract COVID-19 at their workplaces.

4. Meeting with workers, self-employed, and independent contractors from essential industries to hear about the conditions they face and work with them to develop additional response plans specific to their industries, to be communicated to employers and workers in their preferred languages.

 We are in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis. Failure to act is putting our workers, our food supply, and our state’s economy at severe, unnecessary risk. We call on Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa OSHA to stand up for the dignity, safety and health of our neighbors and families and take immediate action by meeting with workers and directing Iowa’s business to take immediate and decisive steps to protect our state’s workforce from COVID-19.
 
As of April 18th 65 organizations have signed this petition.

Allison Ambrose