As the severity of COVID-19 increases with a newly emerged, more deadly strain, and infection rate in the US having soared past China and Italy to over 160,000 reported cases as of March 31, the staff necessary to provide support for the individuals in the care of D&S Community Services do not have the option to work from home. While other workers in the community have been laid off, are receiving unemployment, or have the ability to telecommute much like D&S office staff, DSPs, PAs, and House Managers are reporting to work daily. There is no option to protect ourselves, and should we or our loved ones develop respiratory symptoms, we are simply pulled off shift with no benefit until it is determined to not be COVID-19. In addition to these grave facts, the insurance offered to DSPs is especially poor.
Many retailers such as Target, Amazon, and even Walmart have raised their workers wages at least $2-$3 for the duration of the pandemic. For a company that is sending employees into people's homes to provide every level of care and support imaginable, it is unthinkable and frankly outrageous all in-home staff are not receiving hazard pay of $15/hr as well as PTO or similar for any time missed in relation to COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms.
