Paid sick leave needed to stop COVID-19 spread in B.C. care homes: seniors advocate

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Workers who don’t already have paid sick leave need it in order to keep COVID-19 from invading more care homes, according to B.C.’s advocate for seniors.

Modelling data released Thursday shows one in every 10 COVID-19 cases in the province is someone who works in the health-care sector.


Isobel Mackenzie, the provincial seniors advocate, says too many care aides are showing up sick for work because they can’t afford to stay home.

“Poor beleaguered workers. They don’t make that much money to start with and then, if they’re sick, they don’t get paid. Ironically, the better paid people are more likely to be the people with paid sick leave,” she says.

Those who already have benefits are not the ones most at risk of spreading the virus, Mackenzie adds.

“It’s just another example of COVID revealing something that was existing before,” she says. “This disparity between care home staff around paid sick leave. We’ve incentivized workers to come to work when they’re not feeling well.”

Mackenzie says she has been raising concerns about this for more than 30 years.

“Now, that headache can be fatal. Not to the person with the headache, but to the 97-year-old that they’re providing personal care for unaware that they are shedding.”

Fraser Health President and CEO, Dr. Victoria Lee says this is something she worries about as well.

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“From data so far, we also know that a majority of the transmission is actually occurring in the community and spilling over. We need to ensure that our staff and medical staff are protected and their families are protected as well.”

She says most staff in public health have paid sick leave, but that’s not the case in private care.

Lee admits work continues to keep everyone safe.

“We do have coverage for people that work within the system, but I think there’s another area under the private sector and additional work that can be done there too.”

Right now, the virus is active at more than 30 care homes, including one where nine residents have tested positive and nine staff members are isolating at home.

Some benefits available

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit was introduced by the federal government in September.

“Workers who are unable to work because they are sick or must self-isolate due to COVID-19,” and whose employers do not provide paid sick days are eligible to receive up to $500  per week for two weeks.

The program is currently set to last one year.

“This new benefit would fulfill the Government of Canada’s commitment as part of the Safe Restart Agreement with provinces and territories to provide up to two weeks of sick leave to all Canadians in the context of COVID-19,” according to the federal government.

This program has, however, been criticized by unions as falling short of true paid sick leave. 

With files from Lisa Steacy

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