#CareForUs - Kaylene Moua

Across the state, our communities are showing up to care for one another during this pandemic. It’s time for our federal government to do the same! Read Kaylene Moua’s speech below at today’s #CareForUs Rally:

My name is Kaylene Moua and I am a restaurant employee here in Fresno, CA. Today I am representing HIP (Hmong Innovating Politics), the Southeast Asian community, Hmong women, and restaurant workers.

Two months ago I became unemployed due to COVID-19. I lived with the limited relief that was available not knowing when I would be back at work but when work was suddenly available again, I hesitated to go back at first. I was at war with myself knowing I needed to work, yet I knew the risks and danger I was putting myself into by accepting work again. What's frustrating and disappointing about the work again is that customers have expressed to me how badly they miss dining in and cannot wait for the day we are back to ‘normal’. I don't want to go back to the ‘old normal’. I want a future where working people are treated with dignity and humanity.Where we are paid living wages and have good healthcare.

For now, I fear for the safety of myself and especially the protection of undocumented working people who work harder behind closed doors and get paid under the table. As physical distancing is still in place, I hope that we remember to care for those who care for us and stay mindful that each person's health depends on everyone else regardless of age, race, and color.

Today, I’m calling for federal aid to go to people like me and to the people all across California who risk their lives every day to feed and take care of us. Thank you.

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Call or email your representatives in Congress now to demand they #CareForUs, not big corporations, and pass the HEROES act now: https://p2a.co/WBat7Pz.