Virus triggers breakdowns, bosses’ attacks on workers

Vol. 84/No. 12 - March 30, 2020
MS Braemar crew members hold sign, “I love you Cuba,” after Cuban government let ship dock March 18 with passengers with coronavirus, after other Caribbean nations denied it entry.

The “solutions” to the coronavirus epidemic being implemented by the capitalist rulers in the U.S. — and other capitalist governments around the globe — are to shut down production, slash jobs and tear apart the social fabric for working people.…


Coronavirus spread is result of capitalist social relations

Vol. 84/No. 11 - March 23, 2020
NASA satellite images show pollution over China before coronavirus clampdown Jan. 23. Clear skies a month later reflect far-reaching shutdown of industry.

As the spread of coronavirus disease continues worldwide, stock prices have plunged more than any time since the 2008 global financial crisis, reflecting growing concerns among capitalist investors about the effect of the outbreak. World economic growth has begun to…


For-profit US ‘health care’ will increase virus threat

Revolutionary Cuba points the road forward
Vol. 84/No. 10 - March 16, 2020
Clinic in Camagüey, Cuba, in March. Through its neighborhood doctors, nurses and special programs put in place since outbreak of coronavirus, Cuba has mobilized to confront new disease. Unlike the for-profit system in capitalist countries, in Cuba no one is left on their own.

The coronavirus contagion is now spreading faster outside China, where it first appeared in December, than inside. The Chinese regime’s extremely aggressive lockdown of hundreds of millions slowed the advance of the disease for now, but by March 2 the…


‘Only working class can protect humanity’

Vol. 84/No. 10 - March 16, 2020

No capitalist government on earth, including Washington, has made the preparations necessary to deal effectively with the spread of coronavirus. The capitalist class — and the parties and governments that protect their class rule and their “right” to wrest profits…


Capitalist economies wobble as coronavirus cases spread

Vol. 84/No. 9 - March 9, 2020
Above, women in Tehran wear masks Feb. 23 after coronavirus outbreak, which has taken over 50 lives in Iran. Inset, trader on New York Stock Exchange. Shares slumped on reports disease has spread to Iran, northern Italy, more as world economy slows.

Media worldwide headlined the news Feb. 24 with reports that coronavirus infections and deaths were spreading outside China, where it originated, with spikes in South Korea, Japan, Iran and northern Italy. Capitalist governments around the world either admit their health…


Fight for gov’t-funded, cradle-to-grave health care!

Vol. 84/No. 9 - March 9, 2020

The U.S. government, the most powerful imperialist power on the planet, like every other capitalist power around the world, is far from prepared for the spread of coronavirus. The virus is new, no one is immune, and it will take…


US flu outbreak toll caused by for-profit ‘care’ system

Cuba’s revolution shows different road possible
Vol. 84/No. 8 - March 2, 2020
Above, figures as of Feb. 19 in flu health crisis. So far this year alone 31 million in U.S. have caught the flu. Inset, Palomar Medical Center triage tent in Escondido, California, Jan. 3, set up because of growing influx of flu patients. Under capitalism health care is a commodity.

The public health crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak in China threatens — if it becomes an international pandemic — to overwhelm the profit-driven system of “health care” of the U.S. and other capitalist rulers. For the greater part of…