Representative Malinowski Hosts Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update Call with Local Healthcare Labor Leaders

(Somerville, NJ) Today, Representative Malinowski hosted a call with healthcare labor leaders in New Jersey to better support their ongoing efforts to confront the COVID-19 epidemic. Healthcare workers are on the frontlines of this public health crisis, and Representative Malinowski is working hard to ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs safely.  Representatives from 1199 SEIU, Bergen-New Bridge Medical Center, CWA Local 1091, JNESO, United Steel Workers Local 4-200, and District 1199J participated in the call.

Participants on the call expressed concern that the healthcare workers they represent are not receiving the personal protective equipment they need, including extreme shortages of gowns, hand sanitizer and face masks, and stressed that nurses and other health care aids be given equal priority when new shipments of supplies from the national stockpile reach our area. Participants also stressed the need for health care workers to be prioritized when determining who receives testing upon become symptomatic. As we’ve learned from Washington state healthcare workers are on the front lines of containing the spread of COVID-19, and must be screened to prevent further transmission in our most vulnerable facilities.

Representative Malinowski remains in regular contact with federal and state health officials, local healthcare leaders, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and community stakeholders to ensure we have the capabilities and resources we need to confront this public health threat.

“Our healthcare workers are on the front lines of this crisis and we must do everything in our power to keep them safe if they stand a chance of protecting the rest of us,” said Representative Malinowski. “I am committed to maintaining regular communication with our healthcare leaders, and will do everything I can to get them the resources they need.”

“It’s so important that our healthcare institutions and elected officials take to heart the needs and concerns expressed by healthcare workers, because we’re the ones on the frontlines fighting this virus.  I want to continue delivering the highest levels of compassionate care to the patients of my nursing home, many of whom are like family to me. This means that we need enough supplies, comprehensive training, and adequate staffing levels so we are able to do our work safely and with attention to detail.  We’ve very grateful to Congressman Malinowski for championing caregivers and supporting the House relief bill that would provide expanded sick leave, free virus testing, and greater federal Medicaid funding during this challenging time,” said Lisa Rose, 1199SEIU member and certified nursing assistant from Parsippany, NJ.