Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Recognizing, supporting and honoring the heroic work and sacrifices of our city’s frontline health care workers.
Body
WHEREAS, healthcare workers in the City of Madison have endured through struggle, sacrifice, and risk on the front lines of this pandemic to keep our community safe; and,
WHEREAS, the Nurses of SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin at Meriter cited a lack of transparency about PPE and requests for paid sick leave and hazard pay in a recent petition; and,
WHEREAS, no employee who falls ill or loses work while combating COVID-19 should lose pay, benefits or be negatively impacted in any at their job; and
WHEREAS, on April 10th the Wisconsin Hospitals Association reported that more than a third of hospitals have less than a week’s worth supply of face shields, N95 masks, and paper medical masks ; and,
WHEREAS, frontline healthcare workers are reporting that the lack of proper protective equipment has forced them to reuse potentially contaminated masks that are typically used only once; and,
WHEREAS, we depend on health care workers to care for our families and communities during this crisis; and,
WHEREAS, the health of our healthcare workers is essential to the health of our Madison community and the voices of healthcare workers and their safety are directly linked to the safety of patients; and,
WHEREAS, transparency is crucial during a time of crisis and communication should extend to every frontline healthcare worker to avoid confusion and division; and,
WHEREAS, due to a nationwide shortage of nurses, staffing levels at hospitals are often insufficient even in normal times; and,
WHEREAS, hospital staff are being asked to work outside their normal areas and into new areas for which they are untrained and into areas of greater risk; and,
WHEREAS, hospital staff need training, tools and assistance to perform these new duties; and,
WHEREAS, hazard pay is a reasonable and just means of compensating hos...
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