Letters to the Editor Wednesday, May 12 | The Daily Gazette
SECTIONS
Heroes Act protects workers’ health
The May 9 editorial (“Get bills right the first time”) decries the Heroes Act, protecting workers hit hardest by the pandemic in nursing homes, warehouses, meat processing plants, etc
New York state nursing homes had over 30% of the deaths and 37,500 staff (25%) were infected.
State and federal governments do not track worker infections or investigate workplace outbreaks.
Public health has been severely cut (10% since 2008) due to anti governmental, anti-regulatory bias. Cuts resulted in a lack of preparedness, protective equipment, non-existent emergency plans.
The editorial board refers to “onerous requirements for safety and health practices” and states that New York businesses are already “overburdened with state and federal health and safety regulations.”