Tri-Party Bulletin #01-20
March 5, 2020
CORONAVIRUS BULLETIN
Brothers and Sisters,
The most important issue facing us right now is the coronavirus. ILWU Locals 13, 63, and 94’s number one priority is your health and safety, and as always, that is why we are exercising all necessary precautions. We are working in conjunction with our partners at the Ports to monitor the virus and follow all recommendations from the United States Coast Guard and all relevant government agencies.
Health Emergency
This week, both the State of California and Los Angeles County declared a health emergency.
Here are some ways to protect yourself and your family:
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Stay home if you are sick.
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Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
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Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
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Get immunized against the flu to protect yourself and your family.
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Attempt to avoid close personal contact and limit your exposure to others who may be ill (verbal hellos instead of handshakes/fist bumps and hugs, not sharing utensils, etc.).
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Make sure you are using a robust, regular cleaning and disinfection schedule for frequently touched surfaces.
L.A. County Public Health is among 10 California health labs to receive CDC test kits, with additional kits on the way. This will help ensure that people who test positive for coronavirus and their close contacts are quickly identified, monitored, and supported while they are in isolation and/or quarantined. L.A. County Public Health has more information on coronavirus available here: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
Update on the Grand Princess Cruise Ship
The first Coronavirus-related death in California occurred this week. The victim was a 71-year-old man from Rocklin, California who reportedly had underlying health conditions. He was likely exposed to the virus during travel on a Princess Cruises ship that departed February 10 from San Francisco and sailed to Mexico, returning February 21, according to officials.
Health officials are trying to locate hundreds of other Californians who disembarked from the Grand Princess ship in San Francisco last month after that trip. That same ship, after a subsequent trip to Hawaii, canceled its stop in Baja California and was scheduled to return early to San Francisco earlier this week, but it is being held off the coast so public health officials can screen everyone onboard. Testing kits are being delivered to the ship via helicopter.
In the San Pedro Bay Complex, ILWU members are being provided with all necessary safety equipment when boarding and integrating with cruise ships. We will not allow our members to be put into harm’s way.
Fraternally,
Ray Familathe Mike Podue Daniel G. Miranda
President President President
ILWU Local 13 Local 63 Local 94
