Bernie Sanders Calls for Paid Leave, Moratorium on Evictions Amid Coronavirus

Bernie Sanders on Thursday called for a sweeping response by the federal government to address the health and economic ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic, calling for cost-free care, funding for paid leave and an "immediate moratorium" on evictions and foreclosures.

During a speech from his hometown of Burlington, Vermont, the Democratic candidate struck a softer tone as he called for unity in addressing the outbreak, which has spread to at least 44 states and Washington, D.C. The senator said the pandemic "is on a scale of a major war" and that the president must declare the outbreak as a national emergency. President Donald Trump has so far declared a public health emergency.

Sanders, whose signature campaign issue is a single-payer health care system, argued that the country is at a "severe disadvantage" compared to other countries to address the outbreak because the U.S. doesn't guarantee health care. His plan calls for ensuring that people can receive testing, care and an eventual vaccine without copays as well as expanding community health centers and providing emergency funding to cover medical and family leave.

"While we work to pass a 'Medicare for All,' single-payer system, the United States government today must make it clear that in the midst of this emergency, everyone in our country, regardless of income or where they live, must be able to get all of the health care they need without costs," Sanders said Thursday.

"We cannot live in a nation where if you have the money you get the treatment to survive," he added. "We need emergency funding for paid family and medical leave."

As large gatherings are canceled and the retail sector and airline industries face steep economic hardships, Sanders also called for emergency unemployment assistance for anyone who loses a job, including tipped workers and contractors. And he would place an "immediate moratorium" on evictions, foreclosures and utility shut-offs during the crisis.

Sanders' speech comes a few hours after former Vice President Joe Biden delivered his own remarks about the coronavirus. Biden announced a broad plan to combat COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and condemned the Trump administration's handling of the outbreak. Like Biden, Sanders panned the White House response to the pandemic, accusing Trump of trying to "stifle" transparency.

Trump's campaign also responded to Sanders' speech, criticizing both presidential candidates for what it described as a "government takeover" of the U.S. health care system.

"Bernie Sanders is the wrong prescription for fighting an outbreak like the coronavirus. Like Joe Biden, Sanders advocates a government takeover of healthcare," Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a Thursday statement. "He's just another Democrat candidate for president trying to score political points by recklessly provoking anxiety and fear."