CEO DATELINE - Associations: Prioritize virus testing for workers in essential businesses
CEO DATELINE - Associations: Prioritize virus testing for workers in essential businesses
- April 15, 2020 |
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Walt Williams
The National Safety Council and multiple associations are urging the federal government to prioritize COVID-19 testing resources for workers in industries that have been deemed "essential business services."
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In a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, who is coordinating the federal government's response to the pandemic, the groups said they support making healthcare workers the top priority for testing. But as testing resources become more available, the next priority should be employees at businesses that have remained open because state and local governments have determined they provide essential services.
"Employees engaged in critical infrastructure and essential business are required to be at a physical worksite in some proximity to other employees and/or customers," the groups said.
"We have a responsibility to ensure that they can perform their work in a safe environment, and access to testing would help us do so."
Signatories were especially concerned by reports that as many as 25% of people infected by COVID-19 may show no signs of the disease but still spread it.
"A lack of easily accessible COVID-19 testing means that some of our employees may unknowingly be coming to work and spreading the disease to their co-workers and the public," they said.
More than 50 organizations signed the letter. Association signatories include the American Industrial Hygiene Association, American Public Gas Association, American Staffing Association, American Sugar Alliance, American Trucking Associations, Association of American Railroads, Biotechnology Innovation Alliance, CropLife America, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Pork Producers Council and National Waste and Recycling Association.
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