Virus Outbreak: Hospital workers urge better trainingBREAKING POINT: The open letter says that following pay cuts last year and neglect, the COVID-19 crisis has left more frontline medical personnel in a ‘state of anxiety’By Lee I-chia / Staff reporterThe Taipei City Hospital Labor Union has issued an open letter on Facebook to Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), urging the Taipei City Government to give proper training and compensation to frontline medical practitioners who are handling COVID-19 treatment. Messages written on a wall thanking medical personnel are shown at an event organized by graffiti artists at a legal graffiti area in Tainan’s Siwei Underpass yesterday. “Following neglect by the city government and the hospital, many workers have gradually left their posts,” the letter says. It asks Ko, the hospital and the Ministry of Health and Welfare for remedial measures, including a training program for medical practitioners caring for COVID-19 patients. It also asks for clear rewards and compensation for frontline medical practitioners who are caring for COVID-19 patients, as well as accommodations if they are forced into mandatory quarantine due to their work.

Source: Taipei Times March 07, 2020 15:56 UTC