Some healthcare professionals working at the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis are feeling less than secure about the safety of their environment and are speaking out. Yesterday, there was a picketing event at our own Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree and Reporter Heather Clisby was there…
Staff at 11 Tenet Healthcare Hospitals across California are picketing this week to protest what they say is a lack of quality personal protective equipment (PPE) and unfair policies during a global pandemic.
Yesterday’s protest at the Hi-Desert Medical Center—specifically, at the corner of White Feather Rd. and Hwy 62—saw a dozen or so staff holding signs that read: “We Risk Our Lives To Save Yours.” The workers are from the United Healthcare Workers Union.
Frank Bagwell, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at the Continuing Care Center, stated that they are asking for consistent access to higher quality PPE and safer procedures. Bagwell did contract COVID-19 at his job but has since recovered. “We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t love our jobs,” says Bagwell, “We’re like a family there.”
Marla Williams, also a CNA, says that staff is expected to wear two masks (one an N95) plus a face shield and an awkward, heavy gown for every shift, but are often told the hospital has run out. Williams has a mother and sister, both on hospice, and worries about passing COVID-19 on to them. “I’m here for the patients but we need to be protected so we can take care of them,” says Williams.
Employees are also protesting a Tenet policy that insists employee who contract COVID-19 and then infects their own family must remain quarantined for two weeks without pay, unless they have accrued personal time off.
Yesterday’s pickets took place in Joshua Tree, Manteca and Turlock. Today’s picketing will take place in Palm Springs, San Ramon, Los Alamitos and Templeton. Friday will see protest events in Indio, Lakewood, Modesto and San Luis Obispo.
