My name is Erika Yalowitz. I am a member of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and a frontline public employee, serving as a juvenile court intake officer and probation counselor. I take a deep sense of pride in being there for my clients at some of the most difficult times of their lives, and having the chance to support children in abusive situations and survivors of domestic violence.
I balance my work in public service with being a wife and a mother to my school age child. As a parent, like many of my co-workers, we are concerned about the risk of exposure and bringing this virus home to our families.
We need the Board to make the temporary emergency workplace standard permanent. It must protect employees against the risk of exposure and offer requirements to employers. We need strong enforcement mechanisms so that employers take the Standard’s provisions seriously.
Thank you for making Virginia the first in the nation to enact these safety measures. I urge you to continue protecting Virginia’s workers and our families.
We also ask that you please make the following minor improvements:
The Board should make the permanent standard and its provisions take immediate effect on January 27, 2021 to prevent a gap in coverage.
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The proposed permanent standard language allows the use of face coverings in place of respirators if respirators are not readily available. If respirators are preferable, then workers should not be using face coverings.
?Thank you for taking steps to protect Virginians.