**Media Advisory for April 11** - Albany Medical Center Nurses speak out: We Need More Personal Protective Equipment to protect Nurses and Patients from COVID-19
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: April 10, 2020
Contact: Kristi Barnes | kristi.barnes@nysna.org | 646.853.4489
Donna Kennedy | donna.kennedy@nysna.org | 518.466.1684
Albany, NY — Nurses at Albany Medical Center will hold an urgent community speak out and press event in front of the hospital on Saturday, April 11. Albany Medical Center Nurses are demanding greater access to N95s and other critical PPE to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Like other hospitals across the country, hospital management at Albany Medical Center has been rationing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and limiting access to the N95 respirators that protect nurses against Coronavirus infection. Despite receiving generous donations of PPE from political and community supporters earlier in the week, Albany Medical Center is putting further restrictions on access to supplies. Nurses will speak out about current conditions and protocols in the hospital that put nurses, their families, patients, and communities at risk.
Healthcare workers are on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19 and need the safest equipment to treat patients, slow the spread of the virus, and protect themselves. Nurses are calling on Federal government to unleash the Defense Production Act (DPA) to increase production of PPE, so healthcare workers can safely care for the communities they serve.
WHAT: Albany Medical Center Nurse Community Speak Out and Press Event
WHEN: Saturday, April 11, 8:00 AM
WHERE: In front of the Pillars at Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
VISUALS: As nurses, we will be safe and practice social distancing during this event. All healthcare workers are invited, but not those over 60 with underlying health conditions, or who are pregnant. There will be creative signs, chants and participatory action.
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY: At 5:00 PM, nurses will also participate in a car parade led by community and labor supporters, honoring the heroic service of our community healthcare workers at Albany Medical Center and Saint Peter’s Hospital. For more information about the car rally, contact Corey Ellis at 518.526.4844.
###
The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents more than 42,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. For more information, please visit nysna.org.