Seniors At Risk
Arkansas Department of Health guidelines are telling nursing homes to send staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 back to work. State Health Secretary Dr. Nathaniel Smith told reporters on Tuesday that some nursing homes are facing “critical shortages” of staff, and are being advised to allow asymptomatic employees to enter the workplace with certain guidelines.
“It’s heartbreaking to learn that our state is sending in COVID-infected staff to take care of our seniors in nursing homes. It is a sad testament about the state of elder care in Arkansas, and the low-wages and lack of support given to the employees who take care of our loved ones,” said DPA Chairman Michael John Gray. “I don’t blame anyone for wanting to make sure our seniors are taken care of, and making sure nursing homes are adequately staffed. But surely Arkansas can do better than this, it’s about priorities.”