On May 7, 2020, healthcare workers protested at Rikers Island Prison in New York City, voicing concerns over unsafe conditions and threats posed by coronavirus. The regulations intended to establish federal guidelines for preparing the healthcare sector for airborne infectious disease outbreaks were initially set to launch in 2017. However, after Donald Trump’s election, his administration halted the progress made under former President Obama. This rollback aimed to enhance safety in hospitals and nursing homes for future pandemics, leaving many unprepared for the COVID-19 crisis.
David Johnson, who led the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) during Obama’s term, stated, “If that rule had been implemented, every hospital and nursing home would have been mandated to develop plans ensuring adequate respirators and preparedness for such pandemics.” The H1N1 outbreak highlighted significant gaps in existing standards for airborne and contact transmission, prompting the need for new regulations.
Currently, no federal regulations exist to protect healthcare workers from airborne viruses such as influenza, tuberculosis, or coronaviruses. During the H1N1 crisis, a significant number of healthcare professionals, including nurses, succumbed to the virus while lacking essential protective gear due to shortages. COVID-19 has further exacerbated the situation, particularly in nursing homes and hospitals.
In his first year in office, Trump addressed these regulations, emphasizing a goal of eliminating new regulatory costs for the American economy. “The burdensome growth of regulations has come to a halt,” he asserted. However, three years later, the consequences of these deregulations are evident as frontline workers continue to fall ill and face fatalities while treating patients.
Bonnie Reyes, head of the National Nurses Alliance, expressed her disbelief at having to memorialize registered nurses who have died in the line of duty during the pandemic. “This memorial was not just about mourning but also about our frustration with the lack of protections,” she remarked.
In mid-May, House Democrats passed legislation aimed at reinstating the regulations to bolster preparedness within the healthcare system, but the Senate blocked the bill, raising concerns about future outbreaks throughout the year. The new OSHA head appointed by Trump, Lisa Foster, maintains that existing standards provide adequate protection for healthcare workers. “We have mandatory guidelines for personal protective equipment, bloodborne pathogens, and sanitation,” she stated.
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In summary, the Trump administration’s decision to cancel a critical regulation aimed at protecting healthcare workers during pandemics has resulted in widespread concern about preparedness for future outbreaks. Advocacy groups continue to push for the reinstatement of these necessary protections.