This is quite a rant, and I can't blame the guy for being pissed.
Did he show positive on a viral test, or an antibodies test? I did't see where the rep made the difference.
If an antibody test, it could show he had a different type of flu, or a common cold.
The virus test shows that you CURRENTLY have Covid-19.
Big difference in which positive is show.
Note: Information is from the CDC website.
Did he show positive on a viral test, or an antibodies test? I did't see where the rep made the difference.
If an antibody test, it could show he had a different type of flu, or a common cold.
The virus test shows that you CURRENTLY have Covid-19.
Big difference in which positive is show.Note: Information is from the CDC website.
I think it can be safely assumed that it was the viral test since the GOP leadership told some of their caucus members and staff to self-quarantine.
It's the health department's job to contact trace and the employer has responsibilities after an employee tests positive. Perhaps the health department's contact tracing didn't reach all the people Rep Lewis works with, this probably happens often as the health department considers who potentially was most exposed and who needs to be contacted. But then it seems pretty clear that the employer aspect wasn't followed through, doing so would've alerted all members of the PA state legislature there was a positive case. They would only have to quarantine though if instructed to do so by the health department. Out an abundance of caution, I'm sure many Democrat members would've on their own self isolated had they known.
According to the CDC:
Case investigation is part of the process of supporting patients with suspected or confirmed infection.
In case investigation, public health staff work with a patient to help them recall everyone with whom they have had close contact during the timeframe while they may have been infectious.
Public health staff then begin contact tracing by warning these exposed individuals (contacts) of their potential exposure as rapidly and sensitively as possible.
To protect patient privacy, contacts are only informed that they may have been exposed to a patient with the infection. They are not told the identity of the patient who may have exposed them.
From PA Governor's office dated April 19th on how employers of essential workers should handle a positive case:
Additionally, the Order lays out special protocols for employers to follow in the event of exposure to COVID-19. If an employer discovers an exposure to a person who is a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19, the employer must implement temperature screenings before employees enter the facility before the start of work each day. The employer also must send any employee home who registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
In addition to the temperature screening, employers are ordered to:
Close off and ventilate areas visited by the individual with a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19;
Wait a minimum of 24 hours, or as long as practical, before beginning cleaning and disinfection;
Clean and disinfect all spaces, especially commonly used rooms and shared electronic equipment;
Identify and notify all employees who were in close contact with that individual (within about six feet for about 10 minutes) within 48 hours prior to onset of symptoms;
Ensure the business has a sufficient number of employees to perform these protocols effectively and immediately;
Require employees with symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath to notify the employer and stay home; and
Require sick employees to following CDC-recommended steps and not return to work until the CDC criteria to discontinue home isolation are met in consultation with health care providers and state or local health departments. (Employers are encouraged to implement liberal paid time off for employees needing time off for these reasons.)
I recall when Rand Paul didn't self quarantine while he awaited the test results, but the entire Senate didn't then quarantine after he tested positive. I think just the Utah Senators self quarantined. Not sure there were any protocols back then on how places of employment need to handle this. In this case, PA did have protocols that were not followed.
Who would the employer be in the case of the PA state legislature. Some republican there said they contacted Human Resources. Why weren't the protocols followed?
I'm not sure it was the Republican membership's obligation to inform the entire legislature even though it certainly would've been helpful and the respectful thing to do. It also would've run counter to the safety and not a big deal message Rep Sims they had been espousing. Either the local health department would've informed at risk contacts, or somebody with the state of PA should've made the determination on implementing the protocols laid out in their own Health Secretary's Order. Just because Republicans control the house, that doesn't mean they control the human resources department. Somebody dropped the ball or purposefully didn't follow through. I assume the Governor would've been made aware of a positive case in his state government...was it his responsibility to ensure the protocols were followed?
Did he show positive on a viral test, or an antibodies test? I did't see where the rep made the difference.
If an antibody test, it could show he had a different type of flu, or a common cold.
The virus test shows that you CURRENTLY have Covid-19.
Big difference in which positive is show.Note: Information is from the CDC website.
I think it can be safely assumed that it was the viral test since the GOP leadership told some of their caucus members and staff to self-quarantine.
Let's put it this way, If you are going to report and rant about something, report all the facts so others DON'T HAVE TO ASSUME.
The rep should have given us all the facts, not ranting his views of his perceived evils of the Republican party.
Note: I would say the same thing if he had been a GOP member and posted something like that.
Did he show positive on a viral test, or an antibodies test? I did't see where the rep made the difference.
If an antibody test, it could show he had a different type of flu, or a common cold.
The virus test shows that you CURRENTLY have Covid-19.
Big difference in which positive is show.Note: Information is from the CDC website.
I think it can be safely assumed that it was the viral test since the GOP leadership told some of their caucus members and staff to self-quarantine.
Let's put it this way, If you are going to report and rant about something, report all the facts so others DON'T HAVE TO ASSUME.
The rep should have given us all the facts, not ranting his views of his perceived evils of the Republican party.Note: I would say the same thing if he had been a GOP member and posted something like that.
I would have been equally outraged if the Democratic party withheld this information from Republicans. Whether the health department required somebody to go into self quarantine or not, the entire legislature should have been notified. We are not talking about thousands of people here. A notification doesn't seem like too much to ask for, especially when they have notified colleagues in their own party. It is mean, selfish, and dangerous.
