Tell AARP: Stop Sponsoring Dangerous Protests
Jo Anne Jenkins, CEO, AARP
The AARP-sponsored American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has teamed up with a coalition of far-right lobbying groups to launch the “Save Our Country” campaign protesting the public health quarantine orders put in place to reduce the health risks of COVID-19. As The Washington Post recently reported, the ALEC-led coalition’s focus is on “pushing for the White House and GOP lawmakers to push back against health professionals who have urged more caution."
Among health professionals, the consensus is clear on the risks of rolling back protective measures too early. As a prominent epidemiologist from Columbia University put it, “The math is unfortunately pretty simple. It’s not a matter of whether infections will increase but by how much.” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading infectious-disease expert at the National Institutes of Health, has warned that “unless we get the virus under control, the real recovery economically is not going to happen.” Prematurely moving to lift public-safety regulations poses a clear threat to public health.
Sponsored by
To:
Jo Anne Jenkins, CEO, AARP
From:
[Your Name]
I urge that you cease your association with, and end your funding of, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
As part of the "Save Our Country" coalition, AARP-sponsored ALEC is organizing and promoting dangerous protests in a variety of states in direct violation of public health orders, which we know will lead to the increased spread of COVID-19.
Make no mistake, your continued financial support of ALEC is an active endorsement of this dangerous effort. The money your company is contributing to ALEC is helping fund this campaign—one which is direct contravention of public health guidelines.