M A RC H 26, 2020
T HE P UB L I C R E CO R D
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Lawmakers Point to Need for Added Sick Pay (Cont. From Prev. Page) million workers who are fighting to improve wages, working conditions, health care and other issues workers face. “As we follow guidance from public-health officials to limit further spread of the coronavirus, it is important we protect our people who have been hit the hardest hit by schools closing, businesses shutting their doors, and growing health care concerns as our system becomes strained,” Hughes said. “This pandemic has exposed the fact that we are not prepared to quickly or comprehensively help people in the midst of an immediate crisis. I fully support this plan and believe we must broadly adopt policy of this nature so that we are prepared for a public-health crisis of this magnitude, as well as providing workers and families with the safety they need.”
Farnese, Hohenstein: Sick Pay Needed
With the federal response still clouded by politics, State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-
S. Phila.) and State Rep. Joe Hohenstein (D-Northeast) will introduce State legislation to provide emergency paid sick leave for Pennsylvania workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and response. “While drastic action was necessary to stem the spread of this dangerous virus, equally aggressive action must be taken to help those who are suffering the economic consequences of our mitigation policies,” Farnese said. “We must recognize their sacrifice to public health.” The bills are designed to enhance and further the provisions of the U.S. Housepassed Families First Coronavirus Response Act. “It’s time to recognize paid sick and family leave not only as sound and humane economic policy, but also as fundamental public health policy,” Hohenstein said. “While we have known this for years, this pandemic should drive home for long-time opponents the need to motivate workers to stay home when sick.” The lawmakers have begun circulating co-sponsor-
Schools Closed Statewide Through April 6
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ov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Education have announced that all schools in the commonwealth will remain closed through at least April 6 as a result of the COVID-19 response efforts. The closure order could be extended beyond April 6 if necessary to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19. When it’s determined that students can return to school, administrators, teachers and other staff will be given two days to prepare classrooms, set up cafeterias, schedule
transportation and arrange other business operations. Students would return on the third day. To assist schools during the extended closure, Education Secretary Pedro Rivera said the state’s 29 intermediate units are ready to provide technical assistance to help develop continuity of education plans for all students. The department has been providing ongoing guidance to school communities in the form of FAQs. The guidance information is available at www.education. pa.gov/COVID19.
ship memos for companion legislation in each chamber that will provide emergency paid sick leave for all employees not covered by the federal bill. They also want extended paid sick leave for an additional four days to cover the full two-week quarantine period as the federal bill only covers 10 days. They call for extended leave for those laid off or whose workplaces have closed. Furthermore, they seek additional 1/3 pay rate for those who must take leave to care for a child whose school has closed, so employees receive 100% of pay. The legislators support extended family medical leave to all employees at 100% wage rate immediately upon starting leave to cover the unpaid time under the federal bill and then the additional 1/3 pay to fill the gap to 100% pay rate though the term covered by the Family Medical Leave Act. And the want guarantees for re-employment for workers returning from leave. “Now is the opportunity for our nation to get it right and provide hardworking men and women a chance
to receive emergency paid sick leave in this time of uncertainty.” said Gabe Morgan, 32BJ SEIU Vice President for Pennsylvania and Delaware. “We applaud Sen. Farnese and Rep. Hohenstein for jumping in and taking action to make sure working Pennsylvanians can be paid and take the leave they need.”
Thomas Releases School District Plan
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (at Large) has been advocating for youth and young people since before he assumed office. In addition to serving in City Council, Thomas continues to coach basketball and assist several schools from an education and programmatic standpoint. Thomas has spent time in the classroom and in school administration; he knows firsthand the importance of the health and safety of our young people. As a mentor to young people, Thomas is concerned for the preparedness of Philadelphia schools to handle COVID-19. He has released the following statement and action plan to express his proposal for stu-
dents, parents and school faculty. “After watching President Trump’s address to the nation on the coronavirus, I am disappointed and concerned with his lack of leadership. When our President constantly lies and sows distrust in the media, it is difficult to look to him for leadership on emergency readiness,” commented Thomas. “But this is not about Trump or politics; this is about the health and safety of our nation. “I believe that we need to be prioritizing Philadelphia schools. Our young people are required to be in school – this is a place for them to learn and grow. But these students, their faculty and their parents are concerned. While I want to remind everyone to remain calm during this time, I understand the concerns and have a plan. “I take none of this lightly. I understand that the situation is changing by the minute – families are confused and concerned. But this is not a time to panic. This is a time to put a plan together and keep our city safe.” Thomas proposes the following measures to keep
students, faculty and families healthy. He supports the closure of all Philadelphia public schools, creating an extended three-day weekend to aggressively implement a comprehensive deep clean of all public schools. While administrators take this time to implement a plan, the facilities would undergo an extensive cleaning and sanitation. He would announce that the Philadelphia School District plans to extend Spring Break. This would allow for a two-week period to allow for teachers to plan for the potential of a prolonged quarantine; time for families to assess and address their child-care options; and time for employers to craft and implement strategic plans regarding workplace protocols. The exact duration of the extension of the Spring Break should be assessed as additional information comes in. Thomas’s preliminary recommendation is two weeks. Thomas welcomes conversations with students, faculty and parents of Philadelphia school students to work through implementation of his proposed strategy.
For information about the coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health website: https://www.pa.gov/guides/ responding-to-covid-19/