Our lack of paid sick leave will make the coronavirus worse

[Mosby]

The United States is one of the few wealthy democracies in the world that does not mandate paid sick leave. As a result, roughly 25 percent of American workers have none, leaving many with little choice but to go into work while ill, transmitting infections to co-workers, customers and anyone they might meet on the street or in a crowded subway car.

As a nation, in other words, we are sicker than we need to be. That reality could make a widespread coronavirus outbreak here worse than it would be in a comparable country that takes sick leave seriously. But to find out just how much worse, a fascinating 2017 study offers some clues.

A paper by Stefan Pichler and Nicolas Robert Ziebarth examines what happened in cities that implemented mandatory paid sick leave in the 2000s. San Francisco was the first to do this, in 2007, followed by Washington, Seattle and New York. A number of states, like Connecticut and California, also adopted policies.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/03/our-lack-paid-sick-leave-will-make-coronavirus-worse/

Might want to skip eating out for a while.

[redstatebluegirl]

1. And our healthcare system.

There are so many people who won't go to the doctor when they are really sick due to the cost. They just buck it up and haul ass to work because they don't have a choice.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Very sad and yes, you're absolutely right in that because of the cost, they won't get the treat-

ment they need. This is one of the saddest things to hear about this whole mess. You nailed it.

[mopinko]

2. since twitler thinks he can compel anyone to do anything, he should decree paid sick days.

1 week, right now, from all business in the country. plus any days spent in quarantine.
let them take it off their taxes.

and guarantee people's jobs if they end up in the hospital.

[Mosby]

4. Thats a good idea.

It could actually be done in a short amount of time, the cost could be credited on the bimonthy payroll tax filing.

Fund it through a special ss act by congress.

[BigmanPigman]

5. NY's Cuomo also has a great new policy...

"NYGovCuomo
BREAKING: I am announcing a new directive requiring NY health insurers to waive cost sharing associated with testing for #coronavirus, including emergency room, urgent care and office visits."

"We can't let cost be a barrier to access to COVID-19 testing for any New Yorker."

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=13038688

[appalachiablue]

6. Good for Cumo and NY, very smart too

[Warpy]

7. Think about who is least likely to get sick pay

or even have a job waiting if they have to take a week to ten days of sick leave: people who deal with the public.

That's who will be spreading this thing: wait staff. retail workers. fast food workers, cab drivers, and the dozens of other people we see in a normal day who work for peanuts and make the world run.

It's a country that has remained blind to its people for the past 50 years that will spread this one. It's a killer, but unless it kills people named Pope and Mercer and Adelson and Koch, nothing will be done. Again.

[Mosby]

8. One sick worker prepping lettuce can make 100s of people sick

That's how norovirus spreads in food service.