Corona Virus Update 4/17

Sisters and brothers,

I have a friend who is sick now. She was tested this morning, but even without the test we know.  

She has all the symptoms.

She’s a nurse and a member.

We worked closely together in the days when we were organizing our local and building it’s structure.

She’s my friend.

I will be praying that she weathers this storm well. If anyone can it is her.

So,

Let’s get to work.

We are 42 days since our first confirmed Covid positive case in Connecticut.

55,462 have been tested

1689 have tested positive

1946are currently hospitalized, up 20 from yesterday

1036 have died up 65

Yesterday, the locals of Backus, Windham and Natchaug Hospitals delivered a letter of demand to the administration of Hartford Healthcare, on behalf of their members and with the full support of the 30,000 members of AFT Connecticut.

Hartford Healthcare seems to be the only system that continues to be a problem for staff caring for Covid positive and PUI patients. All the other systems are fine with staff using full PPE including N95s, but HHC still remains resistant. Our members are ignoring the directive and using N95s, but they should not have to fear retaliation for doing so. 

This is a link to a petition of support 

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/ppe-and-hazard-pay-for-hartford-healthcare-employees?source=facebook&

There were also demands made to Yale by our L&M Locals

We reported to the Governor’s office and DPH today that this continues to be a problem. We also reported continued issues with Yale on the issue of presumption of where a hospital worker acquired Covid. We also reported 5 positive members at the VNA of SE CT and 14 or 15 at Backus. 

Please continue to send reports the are extremely important. 

Reminder:

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.

Thank you to our law Firm of Ferguson, Chester and Doyle for buying an appreciation lunch for some Danbury Nurses. 

 

AFT Connecticut @AFTCT

Today @fdclawoffice showed appreciation for frontline caregivers treating patients fighting #Coronavirus infection w/catered lunch for @Unit47AFT members in @DanburyHospital's ICU; thanks for being #CommunityChampions! #COVID19 @AFTUnion @AFTHealthcare (credit @JaniceLStauffer) https://t.co/wh5KFIG9tp

Twitter | Apr 15th

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This link is of Dr Jill Biden buying breakfast for some of our VNA nurses. 

https://www.aft.org/news/jill-biden-helps-lift-spirits-aft-nurses-frontlines-covid-19

This is a great website supporting Healthcare worker

 https://knowwhentosayno.org, 

And last but not least, an agreement has been reached to extend the Backus contract from mid May till the end of July so our nurses can concentrate on the task at hand! 

Be safe,

John