As a Virginia public school teacher, I have seen firsthand how desperately rank-and-file workers need these protections. Even with this law in place, many workers are sent into unsafe working conditions that are not compliant with CDC guidelines every day. This is our last line of defense in creating safe working situations that in the end, will protect both our economy (as we will better retain a healthy workforce and keep the supply chain moving) and our workers.

I was retaliated against in my own school division for publicly commenting about the lack of safety precautions, PPE, and adherence to safety guidelines. Without the protections from OSHA, I may have even suffered worse.

I know Virginians who have lost coworkers, friends, family members, and spouses to this virus, many of them whom have been incredibly careful and followed all protocols in and outside of their workplaces. Workers across the VA are still battling the illness days, weeks, and months after exposure. 

COVID-19 is spread in work environment, including schools. Social distancing standards, mask requirements, PPE, enhanced ventilation, proper training, notice to employees and the public of exposure to COVID-19 in workplaces are all critically necessary to enable  employees to work safely.  

I am proud that my homestate was the first in the nation to enact strong worker protections against COVID-19.  As COVID-19 cases and positivity rates surge in the Commonwealth, it is more important now than ever to enact permanent safety standards for workplaces. 

Allowing the temporary standards to simply expire would place all Virginians at substantial risk of illness or death.  Leaving workers in any field unprotected from this real and growing threat, would be inhumane.

Permanent COVID-19 safety standards will ultimately benefit businesses by allowing more workplaces and schools to remain open and well-staffed, as workplaces are held accountable for utilizing evidence-based mitigation strategies.  All Virginia employees need and deserve the protection that permanent state COVID-19 safety standards will provide.  We urge the Safety and Health Board for the Department of Labor and Industry to protect workers and their families.