Image Sara Moser

As a union City of Berkeley worker, I am concerned about the health and welfare of my co-workers.

The purpose of this message is to provide resources to keep my co-workers safe and well-informed about Covid. This is critically important because we are in the middle of another Covid wave, both locally and nationally. I and the leadership team plan to communicate more regularly about Covid.

Long Covid

First and foremost, please take Covid seriously. Even if you know 10 people who quickly recovered from Covid, that may give you a false sense of security. A US study suggests that 1 in 10 people who get the latest variants of Covid develop Long Covid!

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco was recently quoted in a New York Times article on Covid Reinfections saying, “every time you get infected, no matter the severity, there is always a chance that you can develop longer-term symptoms.” These persistent symptoms range from debilitating fatigue to heart issues.

Everyone needs to be acutely aware of how frequent and devastating Long Covid can be. More than 3 years in, with tens of millions of people suffering Long Covid, there is no validated treatment! None. Zero.

Workers, Union members, and people in our community are suffering from Long Covid with no end in sight. You could be next!

Your Health and Safety

This is not the time to lower your guard and not wear a mask and not use physical distancing around others. Please don’t buy the deeply misleading line that the “pandemic is over.” Be aware that some environments inherently have more risk, namely those with more people and/or closed spaces. Here are a few examples:

• Working indoors with co-workers;
• Events with crowds of people, both indoors and outdoors;
• Eating near other people, indoors or outdoors;
• Travel, in general.

Just because most people aren’t wearing masks, you don’t need to do the same. Protect yourself first and don’t worry about what people think. Also note that it’s possible to get Covid alone in an office because Covid is airborne, and many ventilation systems recirculate the air. Open windows if you can.

Getting Covid is like playing Russian roulette.

If you need help purchasing high-quality n-95 masks or have questions, please reply to this email, and your union will be happy to help!

Current Covid Regulations (relevant for COB employees)

• Most of society has declared that the COVID emergency is over, therefore tragically free and accurate COVID Testing is no longer readily available (please do not hesitate to contact your union if you need a COVID test).
• As of June 30, 2023 the City of Berkeley’s Supplemental COVID-19 Leave was unilaterally discontinued by City Management.
• The count of Covid positive notifications from the City Manager’s Office for the past three months is less than half of the actual cases (as counted by several union members).
• Cal OSHA – COVID-19 Non-emergency Standard in effect until February 2025:
  • Masks and physical distancing not required but recommended; required during outbreak.
  • Isolation minimum (5 days) still in place.
  • Notifications continue for close contacts. COVID Investigations are still required.
  • Public Health Department reporting is not required; required only during outbreaks.
  • Cal OSHA COVID reporting is not required except for COVID hospitalizations and outbreaks.

As workers, the State of California expects us to shelter at home for 5 days minimum after contracting COVID, but neither the state or City Management want to provide us with Supplemental COVID-19 Leave! If you are a brand new employee you join the City with zero sick leave. So in other words, the City is putting you in an impossible situation: take unpaid leave and forgo paying for groceries and rent, or use vacation or other leave meant for your mental health and recreation etc.!

Numerous union proposals for Covid safety including sick leave, ventilation and telework have been ignored by the City.

Protect yourself and others around you. If you see something, say something and organize with your co-workers!

In Solidarity,