Women and America’s minority populations have suffered a disproportionate amount as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time to make it right and help them get back on track.

Institute for Women’s Policy Research President and CEO C. Nicole Mason explained how the U.S. can move on from the pandemic through legislation and other actions that need to come from the pandemic.

Moving forward after the COVID-19 pandemic

While the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, Mason indicated a few ways the federal government can help those most affected by the pandemic land back on their feet.

She compared the COVID-19 economic downturn to the 2008 recession. The only difference is that this downturn affects women more than men, the opposite of the 2008 recession. She attributed this to the industries women work in compared to men.

The Biden stimulus package will be a large help, if he and Congress are able to get it done. Mason said the action should not stop there, but should be continued with job-creating legislation.

Improving infrastructure, raising wages and promoting paid sick leave

The pandemic has highlighted the need for a revamp of old infrastructure systems. She said the healthcare system needs to be addressed to ensure there is space should this happen again.

She also discussed raising the minimum wage, which has been stagnant for decades. Doing so will alleviate the burden of taxpayers, who support minimum wage earners who need public assistance.

Finally, Mason addressed the need for paid sick and family medical leave. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation without a federal law guaranteeing these.

AMERICA’S WORK FORCE IS THE ONLY DAILY LABOR-RADIO PROGRAM IN THE US AND HAS BEEN ON THE AIR SINCE 1993, SUPPLYING LISTENERS WITH USEFUL, RELEVANT INPUT INTO THEIR DAILY LIVES THROUGH FACT-FINDING FEATURES, IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS, INFORMATIVE NEWS SEGMENTS AND PRACTICAL CONSUMER REPORTS. AMERICA’S WORK FORCE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN ACCESSIBLE VENUE IN WHICH AMERICA’S WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN HEAR DISCUSSION ON IMPORTANT, RELEVANT TOPICS SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT, HEALTHCARE, LEGISLATIVE ACTION, LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS, CORPORATE PRACTICES, FINANCES, LOCAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS, CONSUMER REPORTS AND LABOR ISSUES.

AMERICA’S WORK FORCE RADIO IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY OUR SPONSORS AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS, BMA MEDIA GROUP, COLUMBUS-CENTRAL OHIO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL, CUYAHOGA COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE COMMISSION, COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA, HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS AND ALLIED WORKERS, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS AND AEROSPACE WORKERS, INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES DISTRICT COUNCIL 6, KELLEY & FERRARO, LLP,  LABOR CITIZEN MAGAZINE, LABORERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, NORTH COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION, MARITIME TRADES DEPARTMENT, OHIO FEDERATION OF TEACHERS-AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, UNITED AUTO WORKERS, UNITED LABOR AGENCY, UNITED STEELWORKERS.