The novel coronavirus, the virus that causes the serious illness known as COVID-19, has quickly upended lives in the Pittsburgh area, Pennsylvania, and across the entire planet. The situation has changed rapidly even over just the last weekend, as the state went from schools closing down for a couple weeks to all “non-essential” businesses being urged and even ordered to close across the state. Health officials are recommending we all practice “social distancing,” and avoid going into public for the near future — partly for our own health, but more importantly, to protect the health of those most vulnerable to COVID-19 — the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions — who could face serious illness and death.

The rapid spread of the virus, and sudden government reaction as many wondered if the response was already too late, has shaken many people and shown how unprepared our society is for this type of situation. Many people find it difficult to follow full “social distancing” recommendations for various reasons. Most were left to work out their own individual plans for how to best get the supplies needed to “hunker down” and take care of their children without school. Meanwhile, the stock markets are crashing into an economic crisis as many see their retirement incomes disappear from the stocks.

The system — economic and health — is under immense stress and we’re seeing the cracks. These cracks have always been there, but could more easily be ignored. It’s not so easy anymore.

The question is what to do about it. There’s immediate health and public safety concerns, but as we try to address that, we find ourselves up against economic problems time and time again. To get a full solution, for COVID-19 and any future epidemic that comes our way, our economic and health systems will need some Green solutions.

Short term, workers need immediate assistance in order to be able to stay home and practice “social distancing.” At a minimum, this means food and medicine and enough financial stability to ensure the bills are paid — rent and utilities especially. Food stamps and unemployment insurance are available, but applying takes time before workers will receive it, not everyone qualifies, and the amount received may not be enough. Instead, we need a combination of emergency measures.

First, a moratorium on evictions (no evictions simply for failure to pay rent while isolation is recommended), as well as a moratorium on utility disconnects. The Green Party of Allegheny County co-signed an open letter written by the Pittsburgh DSA calling for a moratorium on evictions and utility disconnects. Legislation should be passed to prevent landlords and mortgage companies from charging late fees during this health crisis.

Second, food stamps should be expanded provided universally to all, no “qualifications” needed. Let’s ensure everyone has the food they need while the health crisis continues. Food stamps also help keep farmers afloat as they essentially “pre-pay” for the farm food.

Third, we need a temporary basic income, given to anyone and everyone affected. We might do this by re-instating and expanding funding to the general assistance program that was cut in the most recent state budget.

Fourth, we need job protections for workers that cannot work due to government-mandated isolation or quarantine. No one should lose their job for complying with public health and safety concerns. Paid sick leave for all workers, no matter the employment status (full-time, part-time, contractor) is also important for workers to be able to stay home and recover from illness without risking their jobs or their incomes.

Fifth, we must provide free COVID-19 testing and medicine to all who are impacted. This should be part of a broader move to a guaranteed single payer healthcare system that would insure everyone regardless of employment status. The Pennsylvania Healthcare Plan should serve as a model for a comprehensive statewide single payer system with no copays or deductibles.

Sixth, while many crowded locations like restaurants and schools have been shut down, one place that hasn’t is the Allegheny County Jail. To prevent of COVID-19 within our community and the most vulnerable, we must release people from the jail, and work to divert others away from arrest and incarceration and into other programs. The Green Party of Allegheny County signed onto a public letter written by the Abolitionist Law Center calling for a number of actions within the justice system to protect our community.

A universal approach to all of these actions will maintain the health and safety of Allegheny County and all of Pennsylvania. Unnecessary requirements means extra overhead and that inevitably, people will slip thru the cracks in the system.

Lastly, we should keep in mind that as the climate changes, many ecological processes change. The traditional “flu season” may begin to occur at different times, and changing weather patterns might mean different areas are impacted by different viruses than in past history. We should expect more future health events as time goes on, and prepare accordingly — not just for health emergencies, but for the climate emergency itself. We need a Green New Deal before we can fully address the economic and climate challenges that make health crises worse.