--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The COVID-19 pandemic has made it…" description: "\"The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that broadband access is essential - for learning, working, and staying safe and informed.\" — Ben Ra..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/ben-ray-lujan-5905_access_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abunda_1576608.jpg" --- # The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that… ![“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that broadband access is essential - for learning, working, and staying safe and informed.” quote by Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/ben-ray-lujan-5905_access_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abunda_1576608.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/ben-ray-lujan-5905_access_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abunda_1576608.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/ben-ray-lujan-5905_access_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abunda_1576608.jpg) > “The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that broadband access is essential - for learning, working, and staying safe and informed.” [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Broadband is now a basic necessity for education, work, and safety during crises. **In simple terms:** Internet is essential for modern life. Key Takeaway Invest in universal broadband access. Themes digital equity public policy technology Mood concerned urgent Type policy advocacy When to use this quote - remote schooling - telehealth - online work - emergency alerts Key Concepts Infrastructure social inclusion resilience Questions to Reflect On - How can underserved areas be prioritized? - What policies ensure affordable access? A Different Perspective Cost and geographic challenges can delay rollout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [19 Pandemic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/19-pandemic/) [Access](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/access/) [Broadband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broadband/) [Broadband Access](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broadband-access-2365098/) [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Clear Broadband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear-broadband-5947211/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Pandemic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pandemic/) [Pandemic Abundantly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pandemic-abundantly-4357582/) [Safe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe/) ## Related quotes > [For New Mexico's higher ed institutions and health care providers, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that Internet technology is essential to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/for-new-mexico-s-higher-ed-institutions-and-health-care-providers-the/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [We want to bridge the digital gap to provide broadband access to 100 per cent of our educational institutions and to make it widely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-chinchilla/we-want-to-bridge-the-digital-gap-to-provide-broadband-access-to-100/) [Laura Chinchilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-chinchilla/) > [There is an underlying, fundamental reliance on the Internet, which continues to grow in the number of users, country penetration and both fixed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-an-underlying-fundamental-reliance-on-the-internet-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Broadband access is the great equalizer, leveling the playing field so that every willing and able person, no matter their station in life, has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-k-powell/broadband-access-is-the-great-equalizer-leveling-the-playing-field-so/) [Michael K. Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-k-powell/) > [If your kid doesn't have broadband access, that's a real disadvantage for participating in modern education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-genachowski/if-your-kid-doesn-t-have-broadband-access-that-s-a-real-disadvantage/) [Julius Genachowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-genachowski/) > [With broadband access, we can revolutionize global access to education, health care, economic empowerment, and the delivery of critical human needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tae-yoo/with-broadband-access-we-can-revolutionize-global-access-to-education/) [Tae Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tae-yoo/) > [Broadband access is important for everyone, for telemedicine, for telehealth, for communicating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacky-rosen/broadband-access-is-important-for-everyone-for-telemedicine-for/) [Jacky Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacky-rosen/) > [The rise of broadband and growing ubiquity of Internet access excites me the most. The world changes a lot when, no matter where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mullenweg/the-rise-of-broadband-and-growing-ubiquity-of-internet-access-excites/) [Matt Mullenweg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mullenweg/) > [Governments should look at investment in broadband as a national priority on the grounds that having broadband access for virtually everyone creates opportunities for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vint-cerf/governments-should-look-at-investment-in-broadband-as-a-national/) [Vint Cerf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vint-cerf/) > [The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every community in New Mexico, and our local leaders have been instrumental in helping New Mexicans get through this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-touched-every-community-in-new-mexico-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Prior to COVID-19, New Mexico's students already faced a digital divide, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated existing disparities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/prior-to-covid-19-new-mexico-s-students-already-faced-a-digital/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire reality that too many New Mexicans are one emergency away from financial catastrophe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-highlighted-the-dire-reality-that-too-many/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Paycheck Protection Program has been an important lifeline for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic - and it's help kept the doors open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-paycheck-protection-program-has-been-an-important-lifeline-for/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [We have to do everything we can to put an end to hate and help our neighbors, especially as we work together to defeat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/we-have-to-do-everything-we-can-to-put-an-end-to-hate-and-help-our/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical vulnerabilities in our pharmaceutical supply chain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-spanberger/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-exposed-critical-vulnerabilities-in-our/) [Abigail Spanberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-spanberger/) ## More by Ben Ray Lujan > [I have always been taught to lead with my New Mexico values and help my fellow New Mexicans. That's why I'm proud to spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-have-always-been-taught-to-lead-with-my-new-mexico-values-and-help/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Voters went to the polls in record numbers in 2020 to make their voices heard, and it's crucial that Congress takes action to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/voters-went-to-the-polls-in-record-numbers-in-2020-to-make-their/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I will always listen to my fellow New Mexicans and look forward to learning from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-will-always-listen-to-my-fellow-new-mexicans-and-look-forward-to/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [While progress has been made, there is still more work to do to root out systemic racism and inequity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/while-progress-has-been-made-there-is-still-more-work-to-do-to-root/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [As a former mayor and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Fudge brings a wealth of experience to the Biden administration. She will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/as-a-former-mayor-and-chair-of-the-congressional-black-caucus/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Few diplomats have the expertise of Antony Blinken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/few-diplomats-have-the-expertise-of-antony-blinken/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Paycheck Protection Program has been an important lifeline for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic - and it's help kept the doors open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-paycheck-protection-program-has-been-an-important-lifeline-for/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Growing up as a Head Start kid, I never expected to run for Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/growing-up-as-a-head-start-kid-i-never-expected-to-run-for-senate/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [As Navajo Nation President, Albert Hale worked to provide a greater voice for Chapters in Tribal government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/as-navajo-nation-president-albert-hale-worked-to-provide-a-greater/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [Our nation's veterans and their families deserve a VA that will provide the best care and benefits that they have rightly earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/our-nation-s-veterans-and-their-families-deserve-a-va-that-will/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [New Mexico is no stranger to strong women trailblazers such as Esther Martinez, who fought to preserve indigenous languages, Georgia O'Keefe, who skillfully captured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/new-mexico-is-no-stranger-to-strong-women-trailblazers-such-as-esther/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The expansion of commercial space exploration holds huge promise and benefits for our country. It will help support government-backed research and programs, provide a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-expansion-of-commercial-space-exploration-holds-huge-promise-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [The Department of Energy and our National Labs play a central role in addressing the world's most pressing challenges, including the climate crisis and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-department-of-energy-and-our-national-labs-play-a-central-role-in/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I'm confident that Congresswoman Haaland, a fellow New Mexican, will lead the Interior Department with honor and integrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-m-confident-that-congresswoman-haaland-a-fellow-new-mexican-will/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) > [I've always made it a priority to stand up for our land, water, and wildlife corridors, and in the Senate, I'll continue fighting for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/i-ve-always-made-it-a-priority-to-stand-up-for-our-land-water-and/) [Ben Ray Lujan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) [Explore all 100 Ben Ray Lujan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/) ## More Access quotes > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [You can disseminate your art, and it's all such easy access now. The upside to it is that more people are creating than ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-clarke/you-can-disseminate-your-art-and-it-s-all-such-easy-access-now-the/) [Stanley Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-clarke/) > [It's the same with this idea of a literate public, and also of a democracy in which people have access to and really read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hass/it-s-the-same-with-this-idea-of-a-literate-public-and-also-of-a/) [Robert Hass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hass/) > [My hope is that if people have the knowledge, and if they actually see where their food comes from and have access to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/my-hope-is-that-if-people-have-the-knowledge-and-if-they-actually-see/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [I don't think it's always a sign of respect for persons (inside or outside of fiction) to pretend to be able to represent, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-lerner/i-don-t-think-it-s-always-a-sign-of-respect-for-persons-inside-or/) [Ben Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-lerner/) > [Leslie Stein's comics give readers privileged access to a complete and wholly original world of gently skewed wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-woodring/leslie-stein-s-comics-give-readers-privileged-access-to-a-complete/) [Jim Woodring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-woodring/) > [The best way to fight poverty is to empower people through access to quality education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/the-best-way-to-fight-poverty-is-to-empower-people-through-access-to/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [Because the Internet's there, I have access to a lot of the legends, like Fela Kuti. I used to watch a lot of Fela…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-krule/because-the-internet-s-there-i-have-access-to-a-lot-of-the-legends/) [King Krule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-krule/) > [There needs to be some regime that is overseeing access to broadband to make sure we have openess; otherwise, there is a risk it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vint-cerf/there-needs-to-be-some-regime-that-is-overseeing-access-to-broadband/) [Vint Cerf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vint-cerf/) > [While it's wonderful that investors have access to all the data now available to them, it has become a full-time job to sift through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bartiromo/while-it-s-wonderful-that-investors-have-access-to-all-the-data-now/) [Maria Bartiromo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bartiromo/) > [It is truly vital for the United States to assure that it is not attacked with weapons of mass destruction; to prevent wars in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/it-is-truly-vital-for-the-united-states-to-assure-that-it-is-not/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [Now that I'm more middle class, I have access to consumer goods. I do enjoy feminine frippery, feminine doo-da, stuff like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-geok-lin-lim/now-that-i-m-more-middle-class-i-have-access-to-consumer-goods-i-do/) [Shirley Geok-lin Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-geok-lin-lim/) > [Schools have never been about getting access to information. That's the job of libraries. Schools and universities have nobler missions as gentle gatekeepers. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-nikiforuk/schools-have-never-been-about-getting-access-to-information-that-s/) [Andrew Nikiforuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-nikiforuk/) > [To pray is to open the door unto Jesus and admit Him into your distress. Your helplessness is the very thing which opens wide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ole-hallesby/to-pray-is-to-open-the-door-unto-jesus-and-admit-him-into-your/) [Ole Hallesby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ole-hallesby/) > [Broadband Internet access shouldn't depend on who you are or where you're from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajit-pai/broadband-internet-access-shouldn-t-depend-on-who-you-are-or-where/) [Ajit Pai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajit-pai/) [Browse all 2,178 Access quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/access/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that broadband access is essential - for learning, working, and staying safe and informed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ben Ray Lujan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abundantly-clear-that-broadband/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Access" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abundantly-clear-that-broadband/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/ben-ray-lujan-5905_access_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abunda_1576608.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/ben-ray-lujan-5905_access_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abunda_1576608.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/ben-ray-lujan-5905_access_the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abunda_1576608.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that broadband access is essential - for learning…” — Ben Ray Lujan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ben Ray Lujan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-ray-lujan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The COVID-19 pandemic has made it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abundantly-clear-that-broadband/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-ray-lujan/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-made-it-abundantly-clear-that-broadband/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```