Leading the fight for safe and healthy workplaces

You are here

Home » Resources

Coronavirus: Resources for Workers

Recursos de Coronavirus para Trabajadorxs en Español

Download a printable version of the infographic

WORKERS ARE ON THE FRONT LINE PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY

Workers are at the epicenter of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus and protect the public. All disasters have this in common – in the end workers will be putting themselves in harms way to get the job done for the community. These workers have additional risk of exposure since they often do not have the option of isolation that the general population has. Depending on the type of job being done, there is possible infection from exposure to infected materials or contagious co-workers and public. Some occupations such as health care workers, emergency personnel, and others are at extreme risk from getting infected from sick patients.

But all workers -- transportation workers, domestic workers, correctional workers, teachers, laundry, cleaning, restaurant workers, retail workers, delivery workers, construction workers among others -- have additional risk of infection and need to be protected. It is vital that workers are protected – and get organized to protect each other – to continue to be able to serve the broader community and to preserve their rights to a safe and healthy job.

WHAT IS COVID-19?

The most recent coronavirus [known as COVID-19] is a new strain of virus that hasn’t been identified before in humans. It can resemble common cold or flu symptoms initially, but can escalate to more serious respiratory disease.  

The symptoms of coronavirus are very similar to the flu – fever, cough, body aches and tiredness –and they can worsen and cause pneumonia (fluid in the lungs that leads to shortness of breath). The COVID-19 illness is more severe than the flu, and the chance of dying from it is greater than the seasonal flu [estimates up to 30x greater risk of death]. COVID-19 has been able to spread from person to person very easily and requires an immediate response to protect workers and the general public.

PROTECT YOURSELF!

REMEMBER TO TAKE PREVENTIVE ACTIONS recommended to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

  • Avoid close contact with sick people and practice social distancing [6 foot separation] with the general public.
  • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; germs spread this way.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.

HEALTH RIGHTS AT WORK

  • Your employer is responsible for providing proper training, relevant personal protective equipment, and record-keeping of possible exposures and infection.
  • Legal Aid at Work: Cornavirus FAQs

DISCRIMINATION DOESN’T MAKE US SAFER
Watch out for inaccurate information, racial profiling, and other actions not related to evidence-based prevention. These only become barriers to effective preparation and response to the spread of infectious disease. It’s against the law for a worker to be profiled and discriminated against based on their ethnicity and other protected classes.


RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Safer Cleaning Chemicals

Paid Sick Leave/Family Leave Rights

Workers Compensation

National COSH Webinar "Coronavirus: What workers and advocates need to know" March 26, 2020

Resources by Occupation

Nurses

Transportation Workers

Retail Establishments

Domestic Workers

Schools

Cleaning/Custodial Staff (private sector)

Hotel Workers

Construction

Childcare Facilities

Multiple industries (health care, child care, etc.)

Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

Coalition/Action

Examples of coalitions and demands:

Federal and State Relief Bills
Economic Policy Institute: Working Economics Blog on the types of legislative relief under consideration.

Federal Bills
H.R. 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act
National Law Review - Summary of H.R. 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Senate HELP Committee: Details of Senate-passed CARES Act
Center for Economic and Policy Research - Comparison of Federal bills

State Bills
National Conference of State Legislatures: State Action on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Government Agencies

Resources in Other Languages

Share/Save
  • 5590 reads