I am asking you, in this time of crisis, to protect professional musicians and all those in the professional artist network who have lost their livelihood, indefinitely, due to COVID-19. Musicians and artists maintain a unique space in the professional world and feel our voice must be heard in these tumultuous times. Relief is mandatory for us and all Americans in order to keep our families, our art, and long term economic growth intact.
Guidelines designed specifically for the traditional single employer relationship: government workers, corporate payroll workers, multi-employer workers in the construction industry, etc.- are likely to exclude professional musicians and artists. That is why it is imperative you take immediate action to protect the future of professional musicians and artists who have lost most if not all of their work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is also important that extended unemployment benefits be available to these musicians and artists that are self-employed as they have no access to any type of unemployment insurance. Please act now to ensure that hundreds of thousands of musicians, artists and their families can continue to cover their cost of living and care for their families despite the public health emergency.
Thank you- Mike Noonan Phone: (410) 295-6678 e-mail: noon28@aol.com