Category: Pandemic - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

The Tuskegee Experiement and Its Effect on Covid Vaccine - No Hate In Our States

3/9/2021

“A Shot in the Dark” - the Tuskegee Experiment and Its Effect on the Covid Vaccine Online

As the rollout of coronavirus vaccines unfolds, one big challenge for public health officials has been the skepticism many Black people have toward the vaccine. One notorious medical study — the Tuskegee experiment — has been cited as a reason. But should it be?

Listen this episode of the NPR podcast “Code Switch.”

Julie Ross

Operation Reach Out -Keeping Our Members Connected

3/9/2021

Operation Reach Out

A Message from the Board

As we approach the one-year mark of being in pandemic mode, we would like to acknowledge the activities of Operation Reach Out, a PACG initiative.

PACG realized early the serious nature of the pandemic and recognized that it could be a long haul before our lives would be back to normal. Thus, we had the foresight to experiment with Zoom as a way to continue the work that we do, enabling people to interact face-to-face, albeit virtually.

In addition, knowing how important connection with others is and that this connection could be seriously compromised during a pandemic, we decided to Reach Out to members who might be feeling particularly isolated. We purchased tablets for members who were willing to learn the new Zoom technology. Responses from some of these members have been amazingly positive!

We also called those we felt might be especially isolated to offer support and learn what needs they may have. These members also received gift bags for the winter holidays and, most recently, may be surprised to find Girl Scout cookies delivered to their door steps!

We are proud that volunteers took on this initiative in the name of looking out for the common good of others who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. And we encourage our progressive counterparts in the community to do the same. The Reach Out initiative epitomizes what PACG is all out! Many thanks to those who have made Operation Reach Out a success!

Allison Ambrose

Y15K Funds Distributed to Cobblestone

9/26/2020

Y15K Funds Distributed to Cobblestone Place
Saturday, September 26, 2020

A Message from the President

On Saturday, September 26th the last of our Y15K Initiative Funds were delivered to Cobblestone Place in a very small ceremony. PACG has rented office space in this affordable housing building in downtown Davenport for a number of years, and we often have meetings, parties and events in their public area.

I spoke briefly about our Y15K Initiative, Alta Price spoke about the founding of PACG and our issue forum model, and then we made the presentation.

Juanita Eucker and Diane Wolak received our check and explained that the funds will be used for a bench outside as well as furniture for the common space inside the building.

Cheryl Bruce from Bruce's Furniture in Davenport was also on hand. Her store is going to supply Cobblestone with furnishings.

Funds will also be used to purchase MetroLINK passes and HyVee gift cards for residents. Alta surprised Juanita and Diane with a donation of high quality masks for all employees and residents. "We at Progressive Action take the pandemic very seriously and we encourage people to always wear masks in public," stated Dr. Price.

Here are some of the images we took today of this event.

Allison Ambrose

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 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

Message from the Board About PPE Posts

4/16/2020

Posts About Coronavirus and PPE

A Message from the PACG Board of Directors

We continue to receive WEU submissions and Facebook posts regarding novel coronavirus PPE (personal protective equipment), such as making masks. We feel that it is not our place to post these items. Pandemic prevention, treatment and protection fall into areas outside the scope of the issues our forums are working on. We are not qualified to evaluate the safety of one mask over another, nor should we make medical recommendations of this nature, as there is liability in the sharing of misleading or incorrect information. In addition, there are plenty of resources available elsewhere for our members. However, we will share pandemic information that is relevant to our community because of an issue one of our forums is working on. Thank you for understanding this policy.

Contact Alta Price, MD with questions or concerns.

What You Can Do Now - ACA Enrollment After Job Loss Due to the Pandemic

4/16/2020

Letter to the Editor - Important Update
Regarding ACA Enrollment After Job Loss

Health Care Reform Forum

On behalf of, and with the approval of, the PACG Health Care Reform Forum, I submitted the letter that follows to the local QC newspapers, and it was published on Saturday, April 11. My involvement with PACG was duly noted. If you know of anyone who has lost his/her job and associated health insurance, please bring the potential assistance that might be available at healthcare.gov to his/her attention.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans are losing their jobs. Those with employer-provided health insurance may also be losing that coverage at the worst possible time: leaving them with potentially no income and, if they become ill, no insurance coverage. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) offers them valuable resources.

Iowa and Illinois residents in that situation may be able to get insurance on the federal ACA Marketplace. They may also qualify for a premium subsidy or for coverage under Medicaid. The website healthcare.gov allows them to explore their options. It is important to note that they have a 60-day window after losing their employment in which to apply.

Although some insurers have waived some consumer costs of coronavirus treatment, such costs can still be very high, especially if hospitalization is required; moreover, other health care issues (broken leg, appendicitis) may still arise. Having good health insurance is essential.

The coronavirus pandemic has made us acutely aware of how important it is for all Americans to have access to good health care. The Affordable Care Act has already provided health insurance for millions of uninsured families, and it is there for many of us who need the coverage now. Our people need our government to uphold that law, not seek its overthrow in the courts.

One of the lessons we must learn from this terrible time is that good health care coverage needs to be strengthened and expanded to cover everyone, in good times as well as bad.

Karen Metcalf, Co-facilitator
Health Care Reform Forum
Progressive Action for the Common Good

What You Can Do Now - Help the Earth Heal as We Protect Ourselves from the Coronavirus

3/27/2020

Help the Earth Heal as We Protect Ourselves from the Coronavirus

Environmental Forum

As we are housebound with our loved ones to prevent the spread of coronavirus, we should think about what we can do to help the planet heal. Here are projects you can start now:

Try new plant-based recipes – growing whole grains, fruits and vegetables uses less water and land, emits less pollution, reduces waste by-products, and is less destructive to the top soil.

Reduce food wastes - make soup stock with your vegetable scraps.

Compost – we’re running out of landfill space. About 20% of the waste in landfills is food waste. Composting also puts the carbon back into the soil.

Read instead of streaming – we all have books on our shelves we had planned to read. This is the time to do it instead of streaming or reading on your electronic devices. Reading does not require additional electricity.

Be an informed voter – the election is just months away. Learn about your candidates’ positions on issues. Look for online town halls and other opportunities to interact with political candidates. Support those who will take action to heal the earth.

Spring cleaning - use a combination of natural products that you likely have at home - alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, vinegar, lemon. Disinfect cleaned surfaces with a bleach solution of 2 tablespoons of bleach in 1 quart of water (or 1/3 cup of bleach in a gallon of water). Allow the surface to air dry. Bleach water should be made fresh daily. CAUTION: Do not mix bleach with any cleaning products (for example, vinegar) because these combinations can generate toxic chlorine gas.

Switch to Green Power – if you haven’t done so, contact your utility company and sign up for electricity generated from renewable sources.

Share your stuff – as you’re cleaning out your house, decluttering and eliminating duplicates, set things you no longer need aside. You can share them with your family or donate to someone who may use them when the pandemic is over.

Volunteer - PACG forums and other community organizations are continuing to do their work online. The Environmental Forum is holding monthly meetings online via Zoom.

Do eco-friendly activities – check the link below for eco-activities for all ages.

Start a garden exchange - spring is here. It's time to plant a garden and exchange seeds and plants with your friends and neighbors. Continue to practice social distancing by dropping these items off at their doors.

Keep moving - stay-at-home does not mean we have to be indoors all day. Take a nature walk or bike ride. Remember to maintain safe social distancing of at least 6 feet from other people. NOTE: Stay-at-home orders may change in the future and walks or bike riding outside may not be advisable. Follow directions from your local health authorities.
For more details check here:
https://www.earthday.org/11-actions-for-the-planet-during-a-pandemic/

Susan Leuthauser

A Message from the President - QC Connection During Pandemic

3/24/2020

A Message from the President

Dear Progressives,

I wanted to reach out to you all during this strangest of times. Our in-person meetings and events scheduled to occur in the next few months have been postponed or cancelled. Some of our scheduled events - specifically forum and group meetings - will be occurring virtually via Zoom, which is a wonderful way to allow us to continue our progressive work and to keep our members connected during these days where feelings of isolation may get us down. We will use our website and calendar to give you the most up-to-date information about these meetings and events. It is our hope to schedule larger virtual events for members revolving around our forum issues where members can learn about and discuss some of these pertinent topics. Again, keep your eye on our website and calendar.

In addition, I would also like to encourage you to support our local businesses by shopping locally on-line, ordering take out and buying gift cards. Realize the people who are delivering your food are doing so at risk to themselves. Please remember to tip generously. I have noticed a few initiatives that make this support easy and safe:

1. Monday, 3/23 is the start of our local virtual shop small event.

2. You can support local restaurants and non-profits by buying items that bring income to struggling businesses. Consider purchasing t-shirts and gift cards at https://qccustomtees.com/.

3. Check out the Quad City Emergency Take Out and Delivery Facebook page.

4. The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page also has good information on how you can support local businesses

Please feel free to share with me (via email) any other initiatives you are aware of and we will post those on our website. As progressives, we all realize the value of having a thriving community so that all people may live fruitful lives.

Take care everyone!

Stay healthy and sane and stay connected with PACG!

Allison Ambrose