RELEASE: ARATI KREIBICH SLAMS TRUMP ADMIN RESPONSE TO COVID-19, CALLS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING AT DCBC CONVENTION

Glen Rock, NJ – With the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 rising and the tragic first death in Bergen County yesterday, Democratic candidate for Congress in NJ-5 Arati Kreibich released the following statement in response:

“The state of emergency declared in New Jersey and Bergen County is necessary for our communities to respond to COVID-19 appropriately, and it is important to recognize the lack of testing thus far as a result of the Trump administration’s negligence.

“As a scientist and councilmember who is currently working on Glen Rock’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, we need leaders who will condemn the administration for its pitiful response so far and demand immediate common-sense policies at the federal level to address COVID-19. These policies must include:

• Universal paid sick leave
• A cap on the cost of testing & treatment for COVID-19
• Expanding Medicaid and Medicare to include COVID-19 coverage

“On a more local note: the Bergen County Democratic Convention is tomorrow (3/12), and providing remote access to large events to protect public health is quickly becoming a widespread practice in our community. So while I’m excited for the Convention and confident that our campaign will overperform, I’m calling on the Democratic Committee of Bergen County (DCBC) to allow absentee voting. Otherwise, we will have a low-turnout convention that puts the Democrats who do attend at risk.”

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Dr. Arati Kreibich is a Councilmember in Glen Rock, a neuroscientist, an immigrant, and a mother. She is running for Congress in New Jersey’s 5th District not only because her representative doesn’t honor our Democratic values, but because we live in an exceptional moment and need bold progressive leadership. Learn more at www.aratiforcongress.com