THREAD: I’m glad Governor Cuomo is working with NY’s Congressional delegation to create a “COVID-19 Heroes Compensation Fund.”

There are things we can do right here in NY to support our frontline workers and their families. 1/x https://twitter.com/nygovcuomo/status/1248640191423746048

It’s scandalous that our healthcare heroes are dipping into their own pockets to fight the virus & stay safe. Today, I’m proposing state legislation allow healthcare workers to deduct up to $5K of taxable income for transportation costs or purchases of PPE related to COVID-19 2/x

Although NY doesn’t collect this data, at least 10 healthcare workers have died here according to news reports.

In Spain, nearly 15% of reported cases are health care workers, and more than 60 doctors have died in Italy.

3/x

New York should provide death benefits for the families of frontline healthcare workers who lost their lives fighting this virus, just as we did for those who participated in rescue, recovery, or cleanup at the World Trade Center. 4/x

Our healthcare workers are candidates for PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and other moral injuries. In China, studies show high levels of depression (50.4%), anxiety (44.6%), and distress (71.5%) among healthcare workers.

They’re going to need our support.

5/x

New York should guarantee reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses for necessary physical or mental health care to treat conditions related to COVID-19 exposure that are not covered by their insurance or by worker’s compensation.

6/x

There’s concern that the pandemic will discourage young people from entering the medical field.

New York should counter this by providing student loan repayment assistance, lifting the crushing burden of student debt, and providing reduced tuition at SUNY & CUNY schools.

7/x

It took 18 long years to convince the U.S. Congress to pass permanent 9/11 funding through the Zadroga Act.

New York’s healthcare heroes shouldn’t have to wait that long. Let’s get this done.

8/8