Healthcare Workers Worry About Coronavirus Protection

Healthcare employees are worried about how well-protected they are against the coronavirus, as caregivers are historically most affected by disease epidemics and the healthcare system is beset by staffing shortfalls, reports the Washington Post . As caregivers become infected or face quarantine at home, experts said maintaining the medical workforce is a crucial task that hospitals and senior communities will deal with in the weeks ahead. Some healthcare worker proponents say hospital administrators are not adequately shielding personnel. National Nurses United (NNU) this week stated that just 30 percent of 6,000 nurses polled in 48 states believe their workplace has enough protective equipment to handle incoming coronavirus patients, while only 29 percent said their hospital or clinic has plans for isolating carriers. Some nurses noted that hospitals are keeping specialized gear like N95 respirator masks, which are the most effective at blocking respiratory droplets that spread the virus, off-site to prevent hoarding. NNU's Michelle Mahon cited "a serious lack of coordination, ineffective central leadership, and lack of clear direction" leading to "confusion and a disturbingly wide spectrum of preparedness, supply readiness, and communication of plans." Some medical centers are taking additional precautions to add resilience, including more rigorous and frequent hand-washing, bans on nonessential travel and large gatherings, and new triage procedures.