Congress has moved swiftly in recent weeks to approve historic levels of emergency funding to help our country withstand the coronavirus pandemic. Yet more help is needed for the federal workers who are on the front lines of this rapidly evolving health crisis.

The most essential thing our members need right now is an adequate supply of personal protective equipment, or PPE — things such as masks, gloves, gowns and hand sanitizer. This will help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our VA hospitals, at airport security checkpoints, inside our federal prisons, and other places where our members interact with the public.

The president should use the Defense Protection Act to ensure that sufficient quantities of PPE are manufactured, sold at a fair price and delivered to all those whose work exposes them to possible infection.

But there are additional actions that will also help. Here are six things Congress should do right now to protect federal employees and the communities they serve:

1. Restore labor-management relations
2. Ensure adequate funding and resources for PPE
3. Require presumption of workplace illness
4. Approve hazardous and environmental differential pay
5. Mandate telework or safety leave
6. Permit changes to workers' health insurance plans

Sign our petition now to show your support for government workers serving on the front lines!