WHEREAS Emergency paid sick leave is necessary for public safety, to slow the spread of the virus and help assure a safe workplace for essential workers. No American worker should be forced to choose between working when sick and taking unpaid sick leave: those who are forced to work while sick may infect customers, patients, and their fellow workers.

WHEREAS According to a UC Berkeley study, only one in four workers employed by some of the nation’s largest employers have access to paid sick leave; most low wage workers with little or no paid sick leave cannot afford to take time off for diagnosis, isolation, or to care for a sick family member.

WHEREAS Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose have recently approved 14 days paid emergency sick leave, and other local cities and towns are expected to follow suit in the near future.

THEREFORE Sonoma Democrats strongly supports the adoption of  measures that would guarantee a minimum of 14 days of paid sick leave to all workers during the present emergency.