I understand that the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry Safety and Health Codes Board is considering strengthening protections for Virginia workers against COVID-19 risks at the jobsite.  I support increasing these protections, especially in the poultry, long-term care and retirement facilities, and correctional institutions, wherever Virginia workers need to work close together during the pandemic.   I specifically urge inclusion of prison work situations, both for inmates and staff.

If this means raising taxes to protect Virginians, then raise the taxes.  What you spend in health protection, we will all save in lives and in health care costs for the Commonwealth.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Spiller, Jr.

Penn Laird, Virginia