Our shared values can be the guide to what comes next.
Before coronavirus changed the world, people were already pushed to the brink by low wages and high housing costs. They are the ones most affected by this virus and the economic slowdown.
Our main priority now should be meeting everyone's needs and preventing harm. Many are experiencing food insecurity and real hunger. People who have lost wages, jobs, or customers aren't able to pay their rent or mortgages. Restarting the economy is more challenging when there are empty businesses where our jobs used to be. Reviving our communities is even harder when people have been forced to leave their homes.
We're seeing how the things we truly value--from our physical safety to the vitality of our communities--are intertwined with the economy. This pandemic has reminded us all of the importance of knowing that our livelihoods will be stable and that we'll be able to access the things we need in order to thrive.
Now is a good time to reflect on the kind of society we want to create as we move ahead. We've seen how deeply we all need each other, and how the status quo has failed to meet the needs of too many. Forging a new path for life after coronavirus will be difficult. Let's choose one that leads to the kind of future we want--one that builds security, reduces poverty and expands prosperity!