Beth Wilson, Olalla
Kitsap Sun
December 1 was International AIDS Day. AIDS has been with us since 1981, almost 40 years. In that time nearly 675,000 Americans have died of AIDS. Today almost 1 million people around the world died each year from AIDS. The COVID-19 pandemic is increasing these deaths because access to diagnosis and treatment for AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and vaccinations for many childhood diseases has been horribly impacted by the pandemic.
This week we learned that a new bipartisan COVID-19 bill has been crafted by U.S. members of Congress to bring emergency relief to Americans impacted by the pandemic. I call upon Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Derek Kilmer to support that bill and to work hard to get it passed ASAP. Millions of lives depend upon them.
Further, I urge those leaders to ensure that the bill includes $100 billion for rental assistance, $20 billion for a global health response for the pandemic, a 15% increase in SNAP (food stamps) and an eviction moratorium. Those are the resources that we in the U.S. and folks around the world need to survive the impacts of this pandemic.
Please call your Members of Congress and let them know how important this COVID-19 relief bill is to everyone.
Beth Wilson, Olalla