Almost 500 Division of Homeland Security staff are quarantined due to the novel coronavirus, and no less than 13 are confirmed or presumed COVID-19 constructive, based on documentation reviewed by Politico.
A spokesperson for DHS headquarters did not provide comment on the report.
The division beforehand revealed that eight TSA (Transportation Security Administration) officers had contracted COVID-19.
But the latest numbers are greater, and highlight the problem the novel coronavirus poses to the federal workforce. Greater than 240,000 individuals work for DHS, making it the third-largest workforce within the federal government. Lots of those staff work together with numerous individuals day by day as part of their work, together with staff with Customs and Border Safety (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
“The division’s leadership goes to should pay very close attention as this public health disaster evolves,” stated John Cohen, former appearing head of the department’s Workplace of Intelligence and Analysis. “It needs to be concerned that its means to hold out its core mission could possibly be compromised if there’s a widespread outbreak of the virus among DHS personnel. And quite frankly, that’s something that federal, state, and local officials have to be involved about across the board: that this virus will unfold among first responders, regulation enforcement, and homeland safety personnel, compromising the power of these organizations to guard the public.”
The Facilities for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people to “put distance” between themselves and others if the virus is spreading in their group. Hundreds of People are following this directive, and quite a few workplaces have directed their staff to work at home.
The American Federation of Government Staff (AFGE), which represents TSA officers, has criticized the division over its dealing with of the outbreak. The union pushed for them to be able to put on respirators at work, however––per a statement from AFGE––TSA administration refused, only permitting surgical masks.
The security of the DHS workforce has also drawn consideration from the Hill.
“It’s essential to keep in mind that during this pandemic, the DHS workforce continues to be manning the frontlines, defending our skies and borders,” stated Chairman Bennie Thompson, who heads the House Committee on Homeland Security, in a press release. “It’s crucial they're properly protected – and the Administration has a long-term plan for this. Not only for their own well being and safety, however to ensure we've got a totally practical frontline workforce within the months to return.”
The diagnoses and quarantines come as DHS staff have confronted vital pressure beneath the Trump administration, in line with David Lapan, the division’s chief spokesperson for the first nine months of Trump’s presidency.
“Because of the president’s outsized give attention to the immigration enforcement part of the DHS mission set––since immigration shouldn't be the only thing in DHS’s mission––the organization has been underneath loads of strain during the last three years,” he stated. “The give attention to immigration, plenty of consideration, numerous presidential strain, vacancies, modifications in leadership, the government shutdown, individuals having to work without pay––in any case of that, add on this pandemic and I feel you have cause for concern a few workforce that has been underneath prolonged stress, now having to endure but extra.”
Src: Documents show undisclosed coronavirus cases at DHS
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