Health & Safety Alert

We are making incredible progress. Each week, vaccine supplies are increasing and more and more of the population is becoming eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination. 1199ers are playing a central role in educating our co-workers and our communities about the vaccines. Vaccination rates are going up and hesitance is going down.

Hello 1199 Family. I am very excited to report that last week I received my first vaccination. The process could not have been easier. The staff were fantastic, and I feel fine. I'm thrilled to be part of our increasing vaccination numbers in Upstate/Western New York State. Also, in our region (as across the country) case numbers, hospitalizations, and death tolls are continuing to decline.

Last week, I received my first vaccination at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. (And I feel great.) 1199ers at Interfaith have been doing incredible work throughout this vaccination effort. Central Brooklyn was hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and it was wonderful to see Interfaith caregivers, who have given so much, working to restore the health and wellbeing of thousands of Brooklynites. Interfaith 1199ers and hundreds of thousands of caregivers like them have been playing central roles in vaccine rollout programs that protect our communities.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, adding a third vaccine to those available in the United States. All three vaccines have been approved by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). An EUA makes the vaccine available for public health emergencies with continued use if people benefit from it.

Dear Sisters and Brothers, I am happy to report that I will be receiving my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Thursday, Feb. 25 at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn. I’m relieved and grateful that I will be protected from COVID-19. It has been very painful to watch so many seniors (and their families) in our communities be affected by this deadly virus. What’s as concerning is the number of seniors and retired people I’ve spoken with don’t want to take the vaccine. They have been frightened by lies and misinformation.

The demand for COVID-19 vaccines far outstrips current supplies and the Biden-Harris administration has made increasing supplies part of his new comprehensive strategy to combat the virus. The administration’s goal is to deliver 100 million shots in 100 days and expand access to vaccines to more Americans in the coming weeks by expanding the vaccine supply and creating more vaccination locations through a Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

Dear Sisters and Brothers, thank you for all you are doing on the front lines of healthcare. Your commitment to our patients and our communities is, and has always been, exemplary.

I recently received the COVID-19 vaccine. I got vaccinated because I believe in science and because of my patients and my community. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and is the result of groundbreaking research and tireless work of scientists. I encourage you to get vaccinated. As health workers, we have been at the forefront of this pandemic. We are the ones who have confronted this disease

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease is America’s leading expert on COVID-19. Dr. Fauci’s decades of experience, dedication to science, and steady demeanor have made him a trusted voice in the U.S. and around the world throughout the pandemic. He has advised eight presidents on infectious disease and global and domestic health issues.

I am very happy because this morning I received my rst dose of the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine. I hope our members and retirees will also embrace the vaccine to protect themselves and their families. For the last year, we healthcare workers have seen this deadly virus take the lives of our patients, co-workers on the frontlines, and our family and friends.

As you know, healthcare workers are at an increased risk of contracting the virus and unknowingly passing it along. We know it has been especially challenging to protect yourself and your family as flu season and the surge in the ongoing pandemic have collided, creating the potential for a “twindemic” that threatens to pressure our already stressed healthcare system.

As promised, 1199SEIU is doing all we can to provide education and resources to keep our membership informed and updated about COVID-19, vaccinations, and the guidelines and protocols necessary to keep us safe and healthy.

Who needs to be tested? All staff who work in nursing homes must be tested, except for people who already tested positive for COVID-19.

We have received numerous calls from members saying that they received a call from “1199” about an additional benefit for which the member must pay. This is a scam. We will never call you requesting money for your benefits. Hang up immediately, block the caller and report this to our Fraud and Abuse hotline.

1199SEIU and Airbnb have partnered to provide temporary alternative housing for our members who are on the front line and caring for COVID-19 patients. We’ve created a program so that you can book free temporary alternative housing during this crisis without any cost to you!

We demand that all 1199SEIU members will be paid during a quarantine period without using sick leave or PTO, regardless of the size of employer.

Please complete this form to learn more about external promotions being offered to 1199 Members in response to COVID-19.

Frontline healthcare workers are doing everything they can to keep patients, communities and themselves alive during this crisis. But too many don’t have the personal protective equipment (PPE), the medical equipment, or the tests they need. The administration must immediately invoke the Defense Production Act to manufacture much needed equipment, and release PPE from the Strategic Defense Stockpile. Essential workers lives’ are on the line! #GetMePPE

On March 21, New Jersey Governor Murphy issued an executive order that closed non-essential retail businesses and directed residents to stay home until further notice, effective 9pm on Saturday, March 21.

On March 20, New York Governor Cuomo announced that all employees of non-essential businesses will be required to stay home, and as much as possible work from home, beginning Sunday, March 22 at 8pm.