Workers Call on Public to Demand Government Provide Personal Protective Equipment
In a press release dated April 16, the Canadian Union
of Public Employees (CUPE) Nova Scotia is calling on the public to
demand that provincial government provide frontline health care workers
all the personal protective equipment they require.
The press release reads:
"Health care workers are here for all of us, doing
everything possible to keep Nova Scotians safe. They're on the
frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, working around the clock to stop
its spread and to care for those who are infected. But there's still no
protocol for workers to get the appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE). They
need your help to make this happen.
"They need you to tell the Nova Scotia government to
make sure our frontline health care workers have the appropriate PPE so
they can do their jobs safely."
With the press release comes an email message that people can send to the government.
The message reads:
"Our health care workers always put patients first. And
during the COVID-19 pandemic, these workers are on the frontlines,
working around the clock to stop its spread.
"Every hour, they are keeping people safe and saving
lives. But too many frontline health care workers are working without
the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) they need to
protect us all. They are being sent to the frontlines of this pandemic
without the right tools to stay safe and keep all Nova Scotians safe,
too.
"Protecting health care workers protects us all. And it's time for the Nova Scotia government to step up.
"Government must provide better access to PPE for all
health care workers, and trust these professionals to use their
judgement in assessing the level of protection required to keep
themselves and their patients safe. Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia
and New Brunswick have all reached agreements with their health care
workers, and it's time
for Nova Scotia to follow their lead.
"The government must follow the precautionary principle,
established in the aftermath of the SARS epidemic. It states that where
there is scientific uncertainty about the possible causes of
transmission, we must err on the side of caution. That's why we must
ensure health care workers are afforded fit-tested N95 respirator masks
when
interacting with possible or confirmed COVID-19 cases.
"Nova Scotians are all in this together, united. Each of
us is doing our part to help flatten the curve. But when our health
care workers get sick, they can't take care of patients, residents and
clients, and that puts all of us at greater risk.
"As a member of the provincial legislature, I urge you
to act immediately to protect our nurses and frontline health care
workers. All health care workers must have the PPE they need to do
their job safely."
To sign the message, click here.
This article was published in
Number 25 - April 24, 2020
Article Link:
Workers Call on Public to Demand Government Provide Personal Protective Equipment
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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