April 14, 2020 Dear [State or Local Official], [Company] recognizes the challenges everyone, including elected officials, health administrators and others, are facing in making tough decisions aimed at protecting communities in the U.S. as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to grow. We appreciate the efforts you and others have undertaken to slow the spread of this virus and keep the American public safe. The [number of employees] of [Company] in [jurisdiction] are working tirelessly to provide the material and products that are needed for health workers at the frontlines. We urge you to consider [Company] “essential”. [In the paragraph below highlight why your product, process, or role in the supply chain is critical. Are you retooling your operations to make critical items? Are you providing machinery to make the single-use products and PPE? Are you assisting a processor that wants to retrofit to make a more essential product?] [SAMPLE TEXT ON BENEFITS OF OPERATIONS Many of the products consumers need during this time are made of plastics or packaged in plastic. From drug packaging to packaging for medical devices, as well as many of the medical devices themselves, plastics are essential to ensuring the safety of the healthcare workforce, patients and consumers. Plastics keep medical devices clean and protected and are inert, so they do not interact with the device or drug. In return, these medical devices do not expose us to contamination and infection. Plastic packaging also helps reduce food-related contamination, while allowing people who do not have refrigeration or proper food storage to safely get the nutrients they need. This is crucial in keeping our food supplies safe and accessible during this pandemic. Additionally, many of the products we use to clean our homes, schools, hospitals and public places are packaged in, delivered in and/ or applied using plastic.] The federal government has also recognized the crucial role [Company] plays. The US Department of Homeland Security issued a memorandum on March 19, 2020, to identify essential critical infrastructure workers during the COVID-19 response. The guidance states: “If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.” Furthermore, the guidance specifically highlights [select the function that fits your company] as “essential”. HEALTHCARE / PUBLIC HEALTH “Manufacturers, technicians, logistics and warehouse operators, and distributors of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical gases, pharmaceuticals, blood and blood products, vaccines, testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting or sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel products”. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE “Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging” “Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution, including warehouse workers, vendor managed inventory controllers and blockchain managers” CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE “Workers necessary for the manufacturing of materials and products needed for medical supply chains, and for supply chains associated with transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base. Additionally, workers needed to maintain the continuity of these manufacturing functions and associated supply chains” CHEMICAL “Workers who support the production and transportation of chlorine and alkali manufacturing, single-use plastics, and packaging that prevents the contamination or supports the continued manufacture of food, water, medicine, and other essential products, including glass container manufacturing” [In the paragraph below highlight how you are complying with CDC and OSHA guidelines] [Company] is following CDC guidelines on social distancing, good hygiene, and teleworking to keep our workers safe and healthy. We stand united with you and our nation’s leaders to do what we can to help us get through this difficult period and come out as a stronger nation together. Again, we ask that you designate [Company] as “essential” during this critical time. Sincerely, [Company Representative]