UFCW 21 Update for Members on the Coronavirus Outbreak
/As you have likely heard in the news, there is an outbreak of respiratory disease (COVID-19) caused by a new coronavirus in several countries, including the United States. King County has some confirmed cases of this disease, including at health care facilities where UFCW 21 members work. You can find updated information about the virus at the Washington State Department of Health and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, how the virus is spread and what to do if you have symptoms, please call the Washington State hotline at 1-800-525-0127 and press #. (This hotline can experience high traffic, so try calling back later if it is temporarily unavailable.)
If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you're a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact our novel coronavirus call center: 206-477-3977. The call center will be open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM PST.
One of the most important ways we can prevent the spread of this illness is to stay home from work if you are feeling ill. If you have any questions about your right to stay home from work, contact your Union Rep or the Rep of the Day immediately. You can look up your contract and your Union Rep here. Our office number is: 1-800-732-1188.
We are communicating the importance of following the CDC’s public-health guidelines to our employers, which include actively encouraging sick employees to stay home, being flexible with sick leave policy, educating workers about respiratory etiquette and hygiene, providing resources including tissues and hand sanitizer, and routinely cleaning the workplace.
More information is below:
BASIC INFORMATION:
At this time (March 2, 2020) King County says the risk of exposure is increasing for people who live in our area, though it is still relatively low. Those at elevated risk of exposure are:
Health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19
Those who have had close contact with persons with COVID-19
Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring
The symptoms of COVID-19 appear to be fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC has instructions for preventing the spread of this virus, which include staying home when you are sick, avoiding close contact with people who are sick; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and more basic prevention measures.
King County Department of Health has prepared a Novel Coronavirus Factsheet in multiple languages:
If you have further questions, call the state hotline at call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.
IF YOU FEEL SICK:
If you feel sick, especially if you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, stay home and contact your medical provider or the state Department of Health hotline, 1-800-525-0127, and press #.
If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus, follow the CDC’s steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
Most workers in Washington are covered by the state law mandating access to paid sick days, and you may be eligible for more sick leave depending on your union contract.
We also have a Paid Family Medical Leave program in Washington, so there is much less need to save up sick time for chronic or extended illness or upcoming parental leave.
If you do not have paid sick leave left but will not be out long enough to qualify for extended leave, work with your manager and your Union Rep to stay home so you can protect yourself, your coworkers, and your community.
IF YOU WORK IN HEALTH CARE:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a coronavirus website with lots of updated guidance for health care workers, including EVS workers, at the CDC’s Coronavirus website. These include:
If you or a coworker are quarantined, please contact your Union Rep as soon as you can. We are talking with state offices right now about your potential access to benefits during a quarantine.
The Department of Health is reminding everyone that stigma will not help fight this illness—we do not make determinations of risk based on race, nationality, or ethnicity.
If you or a coworker need this information in another language, please contact your Union Rep.
IF YOU WORK WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC
It is important that you stay home if you feel sick, especially if you experience illness with fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
Follow the CDC’s guidelines to prevent the spread of this illness.
Grocery, retail, and pharmacy workers may see or have already seen a run on supplies like hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and bottled water.
IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER:
The CDC is offering very clear public-health guidelines for employers during this outbreak, including:
Actively encouraging sick employees to stay home
Ensuring that your sick leave policies are flexible
Not requiring a doctor’s note for employees who are sick
Routinely cleaning all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace
Emphasizing good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene and providing supplies like tissues and hand sanitizer
