March 23, 2020:
HEALTHCARE WORKERS NATIONWIDE DEMAND FEDERAL ACTION ON PPE SHORTAGES
Our facilities are experiencing dangerous shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) — especially surgical masks and N95 masks. SEIU-UHW members and healthcare workers across the country are taking bold action to demand that the federal government stop stalling and start coordinating a national response to these shortages immediately.
Listen to today’s news conference demanding federal action —featuring SEIU President Mary Kay Henry and frontline caregiver Gabe Montoya.
Sign this petition demanding that the federal government and corporations protect healthcare workers and patients during this crisis by providing much-needed PPE.
Post a selfie video on our Facebook page: Describe the PPE shortages you’re seeing at your facility — and demand that the federal government take action to get us the PPE we need! Use #HealthcareHeroes.
Check out this FAQ to learn more about the current PPE shortage and what you can do to stay safe on the job.
STATE SECURING HOSPITAL BEDS TO MEET UPCOMING SURGE
California currently has 78,000 staffed beds, and we will need 19,500 additional beds to meet midway projections. The state is adding 10,000 beds in existing facilities and securing the additional 9,500 needed through various channels, including:
- Reopening shuttered hospitals, including St. Vincent Hospital in Los Angeles and Community Hospital Long Beach (1,000 bed capacity total)
- Dispatch of USNS Mercy Naval Hospital to L.A., arriving this week (1,000 bed capacity)
- Federal field medical stations (2,000 bed capacity across 8 stations)
- Army Corp of Engineers working to convert UC/CSU dorms and other hotel rooms into hospital rooms
TESTING FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS
The state is prioritizing critical employees for COVID-19 testing — including healthcare workers and first responders. Hayward, CA has just opened a new testing center for these high-priority workers.
View Governor Newsom’s most recent COVID-19 news conferences.
