The economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic has left many wondering what’s ahead for Americans if federal, state, and local officials don’t soon begin taking steps to reopen the economy. Businesses of all sizes have taken drastic steps and, unfortunately, had to make tough decisions to furlough or layoff workers.

It’s time for us to begin the process of reopening the economy. Nearly 17 million Americans—or 11 percent of the U.S. labor force—have filed for unemployment benefits in the last three weeks. About 6.6 million people filed last week alone.

“Realistically, COVID-19 will be here for the next 18 months or more,” Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel told Lawrence O’Donnell last weekend on MSNBC. He continued, “How are people supposed to find work if this goes on in some form for a year and a half? Is all that economic pain worth trying to stop COVID-19? The truth is we have no choice.”

In recent weeks, Washington has failed Main Street yet again with its heavy-handed, one-size-fits-all approach to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Yes, of course we should listen to health experts and continue to engage in social distancing and other safe practices: It’s our duty to our fellow Americans, especially the most vulnerable.

There is no shortage of negative news right now. The uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has put millions of Americans out of work. People are scared to buy food at the grocery store and wonder when things will ever begin to feel normal again.

Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign may have just ended, but his movement lives on. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) should be worried.

The phrase “Never let a crisis go to waste” has resurfaced recently. President Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, a product of the Chicago political machine, most famously gave Democrats this advice amid the financial crisis of 2008 to push through a laundry list of the progressive agenda. We are seeing the same thing as part of Democrats’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time around, one of the top items on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) list is vote by mail. Democrats for years have been looking for ways to weaken voter laws. They claim it will make it easier for folks to vote. Of course, anyone who opposes Democratic efforts to weaken election integrity is subject to the usual unfounded and meaningless blanket criticisms from the left.