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March 26, 2021
To the membership:
BEWARE - Metlife Dental
In past years Metlife has paid claims that were out of network , in 2021 all out of network members will be required to pay at least 50% including preventive procedures like cleaning . Members are reporting charges in access of $1000 .
MEMORANDUM
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To: All TWU Local Officers and MembersFrom: Alex Garcia, International Executive Vice President
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Re: 2021 Michael J. Quill Scholarship Program
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Date: January 13, 2021
Applications are now being accepted for the Michael J. Quill Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will offer fifteen (15) college-bound dependents of TWU members a scholarship worth $4800.00.
There is a new Tech Ops podcast posted and the links are below:
Download URL: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/j8rv99/episode_00006-Recent_ASAP_Trends.mp3
Episode URL: http://podcast.twu.org/e/twuiam-techops-recent-asap-trends/
Share URL: https://www.podbean.
Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Experts also think that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. But while COVID-19 vaccines can keep you from getting sick, scientists are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. So even after vaccination, we need to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Although the vaccine supply is currently limited, the federal government is working toward making vaccines widely available.
Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace. Your employer must provide a workplace free of known health and safety hazards. If you have concerns, you have the right to speak up about them without fear of retaliation.
If you believe you are being exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or that your employer is not taking appropriate steps to protect you from exposure to the virus at work, talk to your supervisor or employer about your concerns. OSHA provides recommendationsfor measures workers and employers can take to prevent exposures and infections.
You have the right to file a complaint if you feel you are being exposed to a serious health or safety hazard. If you have suffered retaliation because you voiced concerns about a health or safety hazard, you have the right to file a whistleblower protection complaint.
If you believe you have contracted COVID-19 on the job, OSHA recommends several steps you should take, including notifying your supervisor. Your employer can take actions that will keep others in your workplace healthy and may be able to offer you leave flexibilities while you are away from work.
Generally, your employer may require you to come to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some government emergency orders may affect which businesses can remain open during the pandemic.
Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace. Your employer must provide a safe and healthful workplace. If you have concerns, you have the right to speak up about them without fear of retaliation.
Under section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, a worker who refused to work would be protected from retaliation if:
The worker believes that they faced death or serious injury (and the situation is so clearly hazardous that any reasonable person would believe the same thing);
The worker tried, where possible, to get his or her employer to correct the condition, was unable to obtain a correction, and there is no other way to do the job safely; or
The situation is so urgent that the worker does not have time to eliminate the hazard through regulatory channels, such as calling OSHA.
Employers and workers can visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's COVID-19 webpage and frequently asked questions to learn more about reasonable accommodations.
You have the right to file a complaint if you are required to work and believe you are being exposed to a serious health or safety hazard. If you have suffered retaliation because you voiced concerns about a health or safety hazard, you have the right to file a whistleblower protection complaint. No particular form is required and complaints may be submitted in any language.
Rapid testing was brought up on our weekly COVID call today. While these tests are not always accurate, we’ve requested where these tests were available. The attached document was sent out earlier this afternoon.
The COVID-19 Indoor Safety Guideline is an evolving tool intended to familiarize the interested user with the factors influencing the risk of indoor airborne transmission of COVID-19, and to assist in the quantitative assessment of risk in various settings.
Aimed at ensuring proper ventilation in indoor workplaces amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new OSHA SAFETY ALERT lists measures employers and building managers should take.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning professionals can help optimize building ventilation and keep HVAC systems properly maintained. Steps to consider include increasing an HVAC system’s outdoor air intake and ensuring exhaust air isn’t being pulled back into the building. Opening windows or other sources of fresh air also is recommended, when possible and safe.
This is something that American is just now looking into as the Association suggested this months ago. CRE is working on a rollout plan and has begun work in MIA. More information to follow as I receive it.
CDC expands definition of who is a ‘close contact’ of an individual with covid-19
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The updated guidance which health departments rely on to conduct contact tracing, now defines a close contact as someone who was within six feet of an infected individual for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, according to a CDC statement Wednesday.
Wear a mask correctly and consistently for the best protection. Be sure to wash your hands before putting on a mask and do not touch the mask when wearing it. Make sure the mask covers your nose and mouth and fits securely under your chin and against the sides of your face.
DO choose masks that
Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
Completely cover your nose and mouth
Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don't have gaps
COVID-19 Update: FDA Warns Consumers About Hand Sanitizer Packaged in Food and Drink Containers
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. Children with MIS-C may have a fever and various symptoms, including abdominal (gut) pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes, or feeling extra tired. We do not yet know what causes MIS-C. However, many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19 or had been around someone with COVID-19.
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Dear Local Presidents:
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) weakened its COVID-19 guidelines this week. The sudden and controversial change says that people recently exposed to COVID-19 do not have to be tested if they are asymptomatic. This is a dangerous revision, since about 50 percent of COVID-19 transmissions happen before symptoms begin, when people may be most contagious.
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Health officials in several states – including Florida, Texas, Arizona, Illinois, California, New York, and New Jersey – are refusing to follow these new, lower testing standards. The Infectious Disease Society of America and the American Medical Association (AMA) have demanded that the CDC issue an immediate reversal.
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If your employers try to change COVID-19 testing protocols because of the new CDC guidelines, we urge you to push back to ensure the safety of our membership. Contact your division if you need assistance and advice.
We’ve been talking about this the last couple of weeks on the long-term effects of COVID-19 and how important it is to protect yourse lf and others. Article below.
They Beat Covid, But Debilitating Effects and Economic Costs May Linger for Years
Over several months, the Association along with other Unions have stated that management has been giving our members inaccurate information. The Quick Reference Guide (QRG) was originally designed as a source for quick reference information for our members and management. I was just advised that the Quick Reference Guide to Top Team Member Questions went live (link below) this morning.
The Safety team is currently working on a communication campaign for frontline leadership. The Corporate Safety managers in the field will review with their Ops leaders and encourage leaders to:
Where the Top Team Member Questions / Quick Reference Guide is going to be located (link below)
Helping leadership in familiarizing themselves with the questions
How to assist team members with obtaining the answers
Beware of MetLife Dental 3-26-21.pdf
