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Our View: Our eternal thanks to those decorating veterans’ graves

The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us how much we rely on working people, including healthcare professionals, delivery drivers, grocery store employees and public service workers.
				I am a Licensed Practical Nurse at Gino J. Merli Veterans&rsquo; Center where I provide healthcare to veterans and their eligible spouses who are disabled, chronically ill or in need of specialized care. I am on the front lines of this battle against COVID-19. I have not been able to stay home and isolate myself from the public. People rely on me. I need to go to work.
				My workplace is a publicly funded entity, and I fear the repercussions of lost revenue and budget cuts that will likely result from this crisis. That is why I am urging the federal government to pass significant funding for state, county and municipal governments, as well as other protections.
				If we don&rsquo;t get the proper funding, my job, and that of countless public servants, including those in emergency services, road crews, sanitation, corrections, parole and probation, children and youth services, healthcare and more, are at risk, which endangers both the public safety and the economic security of our communities.
				Protect workers on the front lines by: 1. Passing an emergency infectious disease standard protecting front-line workers in all states; 2. Ensuring all workers get needed PPE and medical equipment such as N95 masks and ventilators by compelling the president to fully invoke the Defense Production Act; and 3. Adequately funding state, county and municipal governments.
				Send a letter to your representatives and senators to demand that they fund the front lines so that we can fight the pandemic and re-open our economy. Public service workers are doing their part. Members of Congress need to do theirs.
				Julie Zabrowski
				Scranton

Your view: Keep us all safe by funding front-line workers