President Lee Saunders: As Coronavirus becomes prevalent, AFSCME members on the front lines

With COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) now present and spreading in the United States, many of our members will be on the front lines of caring for and transporting those afflicted with the virus. They too are at risk -- particularly if there isn't awareness of the symptoms, if there is improper or delayed diagnosis, or if there are inadequate workplace safeguards. In fact, members of Local 3299 are now in quarantine as a result of a delayed diagnosis at UC Davis that could mean possible exposure.

This is a moment for leadership at the federal level. We have weighed in with House and Senate Democratic leadership staff and appropriations committee staff. We are urging Congress to quickly pass emergency measures that would include new funding (no offsets that take money from other sources) to:

• Purchase needed protective personal equipment (N95 respiratory masks, goggles, gloves, etc.) for health care workers and other workers;
• Reimburse localities and states for COVID-19 preparation and response activities;
• Strengthen the public health infrastructure by increasing staffing levels;
• Direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to issue a temporary emergency infectious disease standard.
We have also raised the need to develop legislation to address a possible recession that may accompany a COVID-19 public health emergency.

Attached are two documents outlining issues that our members may face and you as an employer may need to address. PDF icon ne document addresses COVID-19 issues generally, andPDF icon the other is industry-specific.

If you have any questions about any of this guidance, please contact Dalia Thornton, Director of Research and Collective Bargaining, at [email protected].