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Coronavirus Response and Relief by ANGELA BRADBERY Spreading Across the U.S

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Coronavirus Response and Relief by ANGELA BRADBERY Spreading Across the U.S VOL. 40, NO. 3 MAY/JUNE 2020 NEWS SPECIAL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE Coronavirus Response and Relief BY ANGELA BRADBERY spreading across the U.S. The worked with lawmakers to he coronavirus pandemic crisis prompted Public Citizen craft legislation doing just Tsweeping the globe has high- to shift into overdrive, with the that; lighted major systemic problems organization’s policy experts, • Poured resources into ensur- in the U.S. — from the pitfalls of lawyers, grassroots organizers ing that the country can have our for-profit health care system and lobbyists devoting their time a safe election in November to our inadequate voter protec- to pushing for progressive solu- (see story, page 1); tions to the insidious corporate tions to problems highlighted by • Pressed for any vaccine or influence in Congress and the fail- the pandemic. Since mid-March, treatment to be affordable to ings of our trade policies. the organization has: all, and successfully pressured These issues lie at the heart • Called for everyone who has drugmaker Gilead Sciences of Public Citizen's mission and lost their health insurance not to take advantage of the encompass much of its work, because of pandemic-related pandemic to profit (see story, so staffers were able to respond layoffs to be automatically page 6); quickly when COVID-19 began enrolled in Medicare, and see Coronavirus, page 8 Graphic courtesy of Laura Nichols. Saving November’s Election Hyper- BY ANGELA BRADBERY Public Citizen — which had begun situation,” said Robert Weissman, Globalization n early April, with most of the pushing for measures to ensure president of Public Citizen. “The Icountry under lockdown to a safe election in November — to presidential election is just stem the spread of the novel coro- work even harder to ensure that months away and we are in the Undermines navirus, Wisconsinites headed out what happened in Wisconsin grip of a global pandemic. As we to the polls. doesn’t happen again. saw in Wisconsin, states aren’t It was primary day, and a con- “We are fast approaching a dire see Election, page 7 Response to troversial state Supreme Court justice was up for reelection. The COVID-19 Crisis state Supreme Court had rejected BY MELANIE FOLEY the governor’s attempt to delay the election, so the nation watched in he current regime of hyperglo- horror as voters in that state were Tbalization, fueled by decades forced to choose between preserv- of bad trade policies, has left ing their health and exercising people in the United States and their right to vote. around the world more vulnerable More than 200 polling places to the COVID-19 crisis, research were closed in key cities, leading by Public Citizen’s Global Trade to four- and five-hour waits, and Watch has found. absentee ballots didn’t arrive in “We cannot make or get criti- time. As a result, voters across the cal goods people need to combat state were disenfranchised. Public Citizen helped coordinate a socially distanced drive-in action in Fairfax, Va., on COVID-19, and we’re losing lives May 9 to call on Congress to fund elections so that states can make safe and secure It was a specter that galvanized voting options available in November. Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Green. see Globalization, page 5 INSIDE COURT HANDS VICTORY TO CONSUMERS ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED OVER DEBT COLLECTORS, page 4 AMID PANDEMIC, A PUSH FOR DIGITAL PRIVACY PROTECTIONS, page 7 IN THIS ISSUE GET TO KNOW PUBLIC CITIZEN VOL. 40, NO. 3 • MAY/JUNE 2020 SHARATH PATIL An ongoing series profiling Public Citizen leaders and staffers DEMOCRACY 1 Saving November’s election 11 Public Citizen uncovers payments assionate about nonprofit advocacy world and use my skillsets from Secret Service to Trump companies Pinternational to do good in the world. I find working on behalf trade law and pol- of the interests of working people and the planet GOVERNMENT & FINANCIAL icy, Sharath Patil to be very meaningful and rewarding. REFORM has worked as an agricultural trade How did your time working in governmental 7 Amid pandemic, a push for digital privacy protections policy intern for the commercial diplomacy influence your view 13 Bankrolled politicians stonewall Delegation of the of the relationship between trade and foreign surprise billing legislation European Union to policy? the United States and as a judicial intern for the Patil: I learned that diplomats often have consid- HEALTH & SAFETY U.S. Court of International Trade. He returned to erable influence in the execution of international 1 Coronavirus response and the Delegation as an international trade analyst, trade policy objectives, and that embassies can relief then became a summer intern at Trade Pacific, serve powerful roles in strengthening and 6 Gilead backs away from PLLC, an international trade law firm. Patil’s next improving trade relationships. monopoly over COVID-19 drug move was in July 2019, when he became research director at Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch. How does that previous work inform what you ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT Although his family is from southern India, do at Public Citizen? 12 Dirty energy interests swamp Patil grew up in Sahuarita, Ariz., right outside Patil: I think trade is a strange policy area because U.S. Interior Department Tucson. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree certain aspects of it can be so technical, and the GLOBALIZATION & TRADE in supply chain management from Arizona State jargon used so limited to wonks. I think before University in 2015. After obtaining a law degree advocating policy changes, it is important to 1 Hyperglobalization undermines response to COVID-19 crisis from the University of Oregon School of Law in have a deep understanding of how things work. 2018, Patil moved to Washington, D.C., to pursue My previous work experiences provided me with LITIGATION a career that would allow him to influence the research skills and a knowledge base that I use 4 Court clamps down on polluters “well-being of our own country.” daily in my work. that lack a permit 4 Court hands victory to What drew you to your major, supply chain How has your recent admission to the District consumers over debt collectors management, and the topic of trade when you of Columbia Bar changed your work? were in college? Patil: Being an attorney who also works heav- PUBLIC CITIZEN RECOMMENDS Patil: I think it’s interesting how everything ily in quantitative research has helped me make 15 TK we wear, eat and drive comes from dozens of much stronger arguments and back up all policy countries and how that demonstrates the inter- proposals with data. I think the ability to com- OTHER connectedness of humanity. People have been bine those two skillsets is critical. trading since time immemorial, and I find trade 2 Get to Know Public Citizen in its purest form to be an important pathway What do you do to de-stress? 3 President’s View toward peace and understanding. I found supply Patil: An important part of my life is my Baha’i 10 Public Citizen in Your State chain management and global logistics to be an faith. In Washington, D.C., the Baha’i commu- 11 Public Citizen Activist Ally interesting way to study the world. nity is warm and actively engaged in community 14 In the Spotlight service projects. Every Saturday, I enjoy host- 15 In Memoriam What made you switch from the governmen- ing a dinner and discussion in my home where tal and legal sectors to the nonprofit advocacy youth from the neighborhood come over, and we ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS world? brainstorm service projects and have meaningful Angela Bradbery, communications Patil: After I spent a few years learning the ropes, conversations. director I was grateful to be able to switch over to the — Compiled by Eric Kopp Rhoda Feng, editor Melanie Foley, international campaigns director, Public Citizen’s Global Trade 1600 20TH ST. NW, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009 • (202) 588-1000 • [email protected] • WWW.CITIZEN.ORG Watch Public Citizen is a national non- PRESIDENT profit membership organization Robert Weissman Eric Kopp, communications intern based in Washington, D.C. Since VICE PRESIDENT OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS David Rosen, communications officer on its founding by Ralph Nader in Lisa Gilbert 1971, Public Citizen has fought regulatory affairs PUBLIC CITIZEN INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS for corporate and government Jason Adkins (chair), Joan Claybrook, Andrew S. Friedman, Mike Stankiewicz, press officer accountability to guarantee the Anna Galland, Danny Goldberg, Jim Hightower, Joy Howell, individual’s right to safe prod- director, Public Citizen’s John Richard, Anthony So, Robert Weissman (ex officio) Lori Wallach, ucts, a healthy environment and workplace, fair trade, and Global Trade Watch clean and safe energy sources. Public Citizen is active in PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mark Chavez (chair), Jim Bildner, Robert C. Fellmeth, Robert Weissman, president Congress, the courts and government agencies. Public Citizen does not accept government or corporate David Halperin, Annie Leonard, Cynthia Renfro, Steve Kaiba White, energy policy and outreach grants. Our funding comes from our supporters through- Skrovan, Gerson H. Smoger, Robert Weissman (ex officio) specialist, Texas office out the country, who believe there should be full-time DIRECTORS advocates of democratic principles working on their David Arkush, Climate; Angela Bradbery, Communications; communications intern Isabel Wottowa, behalf; from foundations; and from the sale of our publi- Michael Carome, M.D., Health Research; Peter Maybarduk, Alan Zibel, corporate presidency research cations. Public Citizen is an equal opportunity employer. Access to Medicines; Tyson Slocum, Energy; Adrian director To become a member of Public Citizen and receive the Shelley, Texas; Joe Stoshak, Chief Financial Officer; Lori award-winning Public Citizen News, please call (202) 588- Wallach, Global Trade Watch; Allison Zieve, Litigation 1000 or send a check payable to Public Citizen for $20 to EDITOR Public Citizen Membership Services at the address above.
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