Help to Support Our Frontline Nurse Jen
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Jen was on a travel nurse assignment in an Emergency Department in Virginia for 3 weeks when, on March 4th, she had an unmasked exposure to a severely ill patient that was later deemed a “patient under investigation for COVID-19.” She began showing mild COVID symptoms on March 10th and by March 14th she spiked a fever and had a total of 15 different symptoms that kept her on the couch for over 2 weeks. She tested positive for COVID-19 on March 17th.
On 4/2 she attempted to return to work following her hospitals policy. Unfortunately, after working for 90 minutes some symptoms returned - extremely fast heart rate up to 165 (normal is 60-100), cold-sweating, dizziness, chest pain, and a headache. By 4/10 her lingering symptoms had not improved so she had to be re-evaluated. She had blood work drawn, a chest x-ray, a CT angiogram to check for blood clots in the lungs, an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a 7 day continual heart monitor. The hospitalist consulted both a cardiologist and a pulmonologist to assist with her evaluation. Unfortunately, none of her doctors were able to provide her with any answers. These symptoms are still preventing her from safely returning to work in the emergency department due to the physical demands of the job.
Here is why I am asking for help from anyone who is able to help her in her time of need:
1. As of 5/25 she has been physically unable to work for 11 weeks and counting. She normally works 12 hour shifts and averages walking 5-7 miles per shift. She received 2 weeks of pay when initially sick in March under her company’s COVID-19 quarantine pay but has not received a paycheck since March 28th
2.Under Virginia law, she was denied worker’s compensation due to the inability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she contracted the virus at work - regardless of her unmasked work exposure or the high risk environment that working as a frontline healthcare provider in the emergency department entails.
3.Under her travel company’s health insurance, she is unable to receive any disability insurance (short or long term) because it is not offered.
4.She does not qualify for SSI disability insurance under these circumstances.
5.She does not qualify for unemployment insurance because her contract with the Virginia hospital was valid through 5/23 - even with the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
6.In order to remain insured medically under her company, she has been paying her monthly premium out of pocket for April, May and June.
7.Her medical bills have surpassed the amount of money in her HSA by well over $1,000 and will continue to increase if more care is needed.
As a frontline healthcare worker who has contracted COVID-19, Jen has fallen through all of the cracks. It is safe to say the system is flawed and, in this case, at her expense. I’m hoping that, together, some of us will be able to help her through these tough times. I also understand that hard times have fallen on many right now so please only give if you are able to do so without compromising your own well being.
On 4/2 she attempted to return to work following her hospitals policy. Unfortunately, after working for 90 minutes some symptoms returned - extremely fast heart rate up to 165 (normal is 60-100), cold-sweating, dizziness, chest pain, and a headache. By 4/10 her lingering symptoms had not improved so she had to be re-evaluated. She had blood work drawn, a chest x-ray, a CT angiogram to check for blood clots in the lungs, an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a 7 day continual heart monitor. The hospitalist consulted both a cardiologist and a pulmonologist to assist with her evaluation. Unfortunately, none of her doctors were able to provide her with any answers. These symptoms are still preventing her from safely returning to work in the emergency department due to the physical demands of the job.
Here is why I am asking for help from anyone who is able to help her in her time of need:
1. As of 5/25 she has been physically unable to work for 11 weeks and counting. She normally works 12 hour shifts and averages walking 5-7 miles per shift. She received 2 weeks of pay when initially sick in March under her company’s COVID-19 quarantine pay but has not received a paycheck since March 28th
2.Under Virginia law, she was denied worker’s compensation due to the inability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she contracted the virus at work - regardless of her unmasked work exposure or the high risk environment that working as a frontline healthcare provider in the emergency department entails.
3.Under her travel company’s health insurance, she is unable to receive any disability insurance (short or long term) because it is not offered.
4.She does not qualify for SSI disability insurance under these circumstances.
5.She does not qualify for unemployment insurance because her contract with the Virginia hospital was valid through 5/23 - even with the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
6.In order to remain insured medically under her company, she has been paying her monthly premium out of pocket for April, May and June.
7.Her medical bills have surpassed the amount of money in her HSA by well over $1,000 and will continue to increase if more care is needed.
As a frontline healthcare worker who has contracted COVID-19, Jen has fallen through all of the cracks. It is safe to say the system is flawed and, in this case, at her expense. I’m hoping that, together, some of us will be able to help her through these tough times. I also understand that hard times have fallen on many right now so please only give if you are able to do so without compromising your own well being.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathleen Niland
Organizer
Syracuse, NY
Jennifer Linnan
Beneficiary