Funeral workers say they are at high-risk of exposure to coronavirus, write to Trump seeking more protection
As the new coronavirus ravages the country, killing thousands, funeral workers -- who often get little to no recognition for the critical work they do -- are seeking more protection. The National Funeral Directors Association has written to President Donald Trump and Congress asking them to recognize them as “essential critical infrastructure workers”.
Funeral workers, who are also responsible for handling dead COVID-19 patients, are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. In the letter, the group sought access to more personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks, exemptions from quarantine rules, and being placed on a priority list for testing and a vaccine when it becomes available.
“Deathcare plays a vital if often overlooked, part of the public health of our nation,” Christine Pepper, the group’s CEO, wrote in a letter dated March 20. “During a pandemic, such as COVID-19, or any mass-fatality disaster, deathcare represents a critical part of the public/private partnership that will help our nation heal and recover," she added.
So far, the new coronavirus has sickened more than 164,610 people and killed more than 3,170 people in the US. Experts predict that this about to get worse, with some predicting more than 80,000 fatalities by August 4, 2020.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, has said that as many as 200,000 Americans might die and millions could be infected. He, however, warned that because modeling studies could be inaccurate, people should take this with a pinch of salt.
Exposure to dead COVID-19 patients places death care workers at high risk. Peppers wrote in her letter to Trump stating that the group's members serve on the frontlines. "This vital role places deathcare professionals at an extremely high-risk for exposure to sources of COVID-19 as they care for and prepare the deceased for burial or cremation," she said.
Previously, in 2009, during the H1N1 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorized death care workers as critical workers.
“Members of the group have not heard from the President or Congress yet," according to Jessica Koth, a spokesperson for the organization. But they are working with state-based associations to urge governors to act. "Those efforts are proving fruitful, with many states designating funeral professionals among critical infrastructure workers," she told NBC news.
"On behalf of our members and the more than 200,000 deathcare professionals in the United States, we are grateful for your leadership and stand ready, as always, to care for the dead and the families left behind. You and the entire nation are in our prayers,” Pepper wrote in her letter to Trump.
The group, for its part, is educating its members on how to keep themselves safe, following CDC guidelines. As the CDC discourages funeral gathering of more than 50, funeral homes are streaming funerals.
“You can log in to our Facebook page and watch the service as it takes place so that you can participate as our community in these services during this unknown time that we’re in,” he said, "J. Mitchell, the funeral director in charge at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore, told KLTV.