Green New City: Addressing the Pandemic Crisis In Berkeley

We can do better in addressing our community’s needs with regard to pandemics like COVID-19. City government can and should facilitate cooperation in terms of testing, transportation needs, and provision of services endangered because of the need for social distancing. The total number of beds available for serious cases needs to be inventoried and expanded, and evictions should end for the duration of the crisis. The plan to economically revitalize Berkeley, including direct cash payments to all residents who have lost their jobs and income, should start now.

We propose:

• Berkeley should issue an immediate 3-step plan to control the spread of COVID-19, including increasing our testing capacity, ensuring medical care for all at-risk populations, and ensuring the spread of accurate info about social distancing.
• Immediate provision of free medical care for anyone showing signs of COVID-19, including diagnostic testing
• Inventory of available hospital beds and cooperation with health authorities to quarantine facilities for patients with serious cases. Develop a plan to expand the current capacity, if necessary. The City should set up and consult a panel of pandemic experts from institutions such as UCSF, Stanford, and UC Berkeley to guide our evolving response.

We believe our community’s health is our most valuable resource. All Berkeley residents, regardless of their economic or immigration status, deserve protection from, and treatment for, COVID-19. If you share our vision and want to help, visit www.WayneforMayor.com/volunteer to sign up to volunteer.