Please review these coronavirus updates.

IMPORTANT: This information should not be downloaded using government equipment, read during duty time or sent to others using government equipment, because it suggests action to be taken in support or against legislation. Do not use your government email address or government phone in contacting your lawmakers. Do not forward this email to government or home email addresses as it contains AFGE member information specific to you.

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From the start of this rapidly developing health crisis, AFGE has been pushing for immediate action to help protect our members and the public we serve – and winning important victories.

In this week's newsletter we've included important updates and an overview of the actions we've taken in the last week to fight for the health and safety of government employees.

Also, be sure to sign the condolence card for our fallen members and colleagues at the bottom of this email.

DISASTROUS MOVE REGARDING MEAT PROCESSING PLANTS

AFGE is warning about the dangers of President Trump’s executive order requiring meat processing plants to remain open despite numerous outbreaks of the coronavirus. Thousands of workers employed by meatpacking plants have contracted COVID-19, while 137 federal inspectors have contracted the virus, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. To date, two federal inspectors have died after contracting the virus.

“Federal food inspectors entering slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities lack basic protective equipment, including face masks and hand sanitizer, and social distancing is impossible since they must work nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with front-line plant employees,” said Paula Schelling, acting president of AFGE Council 45, which represents 6,500 federal food inspectors nationwide.

Click here to read more on why we think this move is so dangerous.

6 PRECONDITIONS FOR REOPENING GOVERNMENT FACILITIES
In response to the Trump administration’s guidance for actively resuming government operations, AFGE issued six preconditions that must be met before any reopening can occur. At a time when Americans are still dying from the virus, it’s highly irresponsible for the administration to return agencies to full operations without sufficient safety precautions to protect the health and safety of the federal workforce. Click the graphic below and share on your Facebook page!

Yellow graphic with blue text. The text reads 6 Things the Government Must Do Before Reopening

PPE GUIDANCE

Workers across the country are still struggling with access to the proper personal protective equipment to keep them safe on the job. Watch the video below to learn what you should do if there is not enough PPE at your facility.


SIGN OUR DIGITAL CONDOLENCE CARD

We are honoring the front-line AFGE members who have lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please join us in sharing a message of condolence for the families by signing our online condolence card below.

Graphic with burning candles in the background with a blue overlay. Text says Remembering Our Fallen Members sign the card at www.afge.org/condolence

Please regularly check afge.org/Coronavirus to view important coronavirus updates.

Note: Information on this site is not intended to substitute for actual medical care or professional medical advice. If you believe you are, or may be ill, contact your primary care health provider immediately. Information on this website may change as the situation/recommendations/resources evolve. Please check back frequently.

Sincerely,

Dr. Everett Kelley
AFGE National President

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