Corona Virus Update 4/20

On a call with AFT leaders from across the country today we talked a bit about the protests that are occurring asking for a quick reopening of the country. It seems that they are not as “grass roots” as they might first seems. They come out of a group based in Florida that gets financial backing from the DeVos and Koch families.

We also spoke about a possible concerted action on April 28, which is Worker’s Memorial Day and the 50th anniversary of OSHA’s founding. The action would be around the weak memos that OSHA has released recently and the lack of a standard. OSHA was established to protect workers and have come under increased criticism for their lack of action.

The VNA of SE CT are having increased exposures. There are a couple of “hot spot” buildings in the area that they visit on a regular basis.

Hartford Healthcare is putting out a voluntary antibody testing. We are investigating this but our initial thoughts are that we will probably see this become widespread. While on the surface this seems like a good thing, it does have the potential for discriminatory actions by management. We should have the right to bargain this as a change of working contritions. We will keep you updated.

Please let us know if you are presented with anything like this.

We as a healthcare system are  working to determine the prevalence of antibodies to covid 19 in healthcare workers (HCW). We are pleased to offer you an antibody test (serology) which will be detecting IgG antibodies to COVID.  This is totally VOLUNTARY.   If you agree to participate it will involve a brief questionnaire filled out prior and a  sample of blood to be drawn.   Your result will be reported to you and this will not affect your ability to come to work.   Your results will be kept confidential and you will not incur any cost.  

 Following completion of  the questionnaire you will be contacted to set up a time to come in and get your blood test done.  Currently , it is being drawn at Hartford Hospital Jefferson Building 103.   This location will be confirmed when you are contacted to schedule.  We are actively looking for additional sites in all regions.

We are 44 days since our first confirmed Covid case in Connecticut. 

62,806 have been tested

19,815 have tested positive

1919 are currently hospitalized, up 18 since yesterday

1331 have died.

Be well,

John

Reminder:

I am reaching our to leaders to see if you would be comfortable in doing any or all of the following. We currently have a request from Connecticut legislative friends for healthcare leaders to speak out against reopening our state too quickly and what that might mean for a rebound of cases, but we also get other requests.

1. 30 second video for FB/Twitter/Press

2. Letters to the editor

3. Speaking to reporters (either on or off the record)

4. Sending internal messages to your members (many already doing this)

Just email or text me to let me know, or if any of your members are up to it.

Please give me as much info as you can about what the different hospital systems are doing as far as Workers Comp on these points:

1. Are members being put on Paid Administrative Leave if they are Covid positive/out sick?

2. Are member’s medical bills being covered by the hospital?

3. Are members having problems with the healthcare systems trying to say an illness was not acquired at work?

I need to get these answers to the Governor’s office ASAP. Thank you to those who have responded.