Covid-19 all resources list

Multiple workplace measures needed to protect nurses and patients

Hospitals and other health care facilities have a duty to ensure a safe environment for staff and patients. During the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals and other health care facilities should implement multiple protective measures to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within their facilities.  

Respiratory protection and other PPE

Scientific evidence underlines the importance of airborne precautions for Covid-19, regardless of vaccination status. Covid-19 patients can emit infectious respiratory aerosols every time they breathe, speak, sneeze, cough, or have aerosolizing medical procedures performed. Nurses and other health care workers who are providing care or who have contact with confirmed and possible Covid-19 patients should be provided, at minimum, single-use N95 respirators, eye protection, isolation gown, and gloves.

N95 respirators are for single use only

Health care employers continue to dangerously ration N95 respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE) that are designed for single use. Reuse and extended use of N95 respirators and other PPE increase the risk of transmission to nurses, other health care workers and their patients.  

Single use means putting on an N95, taking care of one patient, then throwing it away when you leave that patient’s room. Then, putting on a new N95 when entering the patient’s room again later.

Decontamination of N95 respirators is dangerous

Beginning in March 2020, many hospitals and other healthcare employers turned to decontaminating single-use N95 respirators to be reused multiple times, given reports of PPE shortages. NNU has evaluated the available evidence on decontamination methods and determined NO METHOD IS BOTH SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.  

As a result of union nurses’ unwavering advocacy, both the CDC and the FDA have revoked their guidance and emergency use authorization on PPE decontamination.

• All NNU statements and resources on PPE decontamination

Public and community health

The pandemic is a public health and safety crisis. Learn more about keeping families and communities safe using our health and safety reports.

Archived

*This content may be outdated

• Protecting Yourself and Others From Covid-19 Exposure (July 2020)
• CNA/California Covid-19 Status Flyer (March 2020)
• NNOC/NNU Covid-19 Status Flyer (March 2020)
• What nurses are demanding to protect health care workers, patients, and the public (March 2020)
• What Your Employers Should Provide: Protections at Work for Covid-19 (March 2020)
• California Nurses Know Your Rights: Protections at Work for Covid-19 (March 2020)

Bibliography

• View the full National Nurses United Covid-19 bibliography here.