[fusion_dropcap boxed=”no” boxed_radius=”” class=”” id=”” color=”” text_color=””]A[/fusion_dropcap]s we continue on with the quarantine as a consequence of the coronavirus we can see how necessary first responders are, and certainly we can understand that medical professionals are crucial at this time. Also crucial, however, are other workers, particularly grocery store workers. All across the country both the stores and the unions that represent those workers are pushing for status as first responders or emergency personnel for all grocery workers.
I have written previously about a push to create a presumption that if these first responders (including the grocery workers) become ill with Covid-19, the disease is work-related. If we are going to essentially force people to work where it is dangerous we need to protect and compensate them as much as possible.
I have a link here to a story about this: CLICK HERE
As you are probably aware, our governor has not called a special session of the legislature to put in place any legislation to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. It is my understanding that she will call a special session in May after we get the economic forecast so that the legislators can deal with the state budget and can deal with coronavirus issues. One of the big pushes will be on the presumption that I mentioned above.
As my former State Senator Grattan Kerans used to say “You don’t go to work to die.” No one should be killed as a consequence of doing their job and frankly no one should get sick. If, however, they do then it needs to be covered under our workers’ comp statute to make sure the worker and his or her family are covered as well.
