Earlier this week, the Ontario’s chief medical health officer said personal support workers do not need to wear protective gear unless their location is the site of an outbreak. Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, said he is “disappointed” in current precautions that he says leave workers — especially those in nursing homes — at risk. Sharleen Stewart, president of Service Employees International Union that represents 60,000 health-care workers including nurses and personal support workers, said she wants “clear directives” that all health-care staff — including staff in nursing homes — should have access to N95 masks. “We are not paying enough attention to community (health-care) workers. Given those shortages, some experts have pointed to the need to prioritize protective gear for health-care workers doing procedures known to carry high risk of aerosolization of the virus and accidental transmission.

Source: thestar April 02, 2020 21:37 UTC