Healthcare workers are on the front lines of the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. Many are rising to the occasion and working overtime, risking their own health and safety in order to care for our community. All of us depend on their ability to do their jobs. Unfortunately, our current healthcare ecosystem is unable to meet the influx of needed care.
Join the Wisconsin Federation of Healthcare workers are on the front lines of the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. Many are rising to the occasion and working overtime, risking their own health and safety in order to care for our community. All of us depend on their ability to do their jobs. Unfortunately, our current healthcare ecosystem is unable to meet the influx of needed care.
1) Paid Leave
Institute a policy of paid leave forgiveness and outright pay any employee who is required to miss work from suspected or documented exposure to COVID-19, whether that exposure occurred at work or elsewhere, so that their accrued paid time off is not required to be exhausted.
2) Free Testing, Free Medical Treatment & Adequate Safety Equipment
Provide COVID-19 testing and coverage for all related medical treatment at no cost to all healthcare workers. Make sure all staff and subcontracted staff are properly trained in safety protocols regarding COVID-19. Ensure all safety equipment is secured and available for all staff.
3) Free Childcare
Enact childcare subsidies or alternative methods of childcare to all healthcare workers in need of childcare. If workers are unable to secure childcare, allow for them to make arrangements to see their families are secure before requiring them to work.
4) Hazard Pay
Institute a hazard pay policy of double time for all healthcare workers working during this crisis until such time as there is no longer an emergency or disaster situation.
5) Moratorium on Rent and Mortgages
Put a moratorium on rent and mortgage payments for the people of Wisconsin so that nobody has to choose between practicing safe social distancing and going to work, thereby risking further preventable exposure.
6) Emergency Stipend
Offer an emergency stipend to cover the costs of purchasing basic supplies (such as groceries, medicine, and cleaning products) that will allow healthcare workers and their families to remain as healthy as possible.
To: Hospital and laboratory executives, healthcare corporations, and government officials.
From: [Your Name]
To whom it may concern:
Healthcare workers are on the front lines of the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. Many are rising to the occasion and working overtime, risking their own health and safety in order to care for our community. All of us depend on their ability to do their jobs. Unfortunately, our current healthcare ecosystem is unable to meet the influx of needed care.
The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (WFNHP) and the undersigned concerned residents of Wisconsin call for drastic action from hospital and laboratory executives, healthcare corporations, and government officials to protect healthcare workers and Wisconsinites as much as possible during the spread of this pandemic.
WFNHP respectfully makes the following demands to medical facility administration and government officials:
- Paid Leave: Institute a policy of paid leave forgiveness and outright pay any employee who is required to miss work from suspected or documented exposure to COVID-19, whether that exposure occurred at work or elsewhere, so that their accrued paid time off is not required to be exhausted.
- Free Testing, Free Medical Treatment & Adequate Safety Equipment: Provide COVID-19 testing and coverage for all related medical treatment at no cost to all healthcare workers. Make sure all staff and subcontracted staff are properly trained in safety protocols regarding COVID-19. Ensure all safety equipment is secured and available for all staff.
- Free Childcare: Enact childcare subsidies or alternative methods of childcare to all healthcare workers in need of childcare. If workers are unable to secure childcare, allow for them to make arrangements to see their families are secure before requiring them to work.
- Hazard Pay: Institute a hazard pay policy of double time for all healthcare workers working during this crisis until such time as there is no longer an emergency or disaster situation.
- Moratorium on Rent and Mortgages: Put a moratorium on rent and mortgage payments for the people of Wisconsin so that nobody has to choose between practicing safe social distancing and going to work, thereby risking further preventable exposure.
- Emergency Stipend: Offer an emergency stipend to cover the costs of purchasing basic supplies (such as groceries, medicine, and cleaning products) that will allow healthcare workers and their families to remain as healthy as possible.