Here's what the fight against COVID-19 looks like from the perspective of nurses, and it doesn't look good.
National Nurses United surveyed nearly 23,000 nurses across the entire US. 87% reported having to reuse single-use disposable respirators or masks with a COVID-19 patient. 28% had to reuse decontaminated respirators with confirmed COVID-19 patients.
72% reported exposed skin or clothing while caring for suspected or confirmed patients. 27% say they've had to care for COVID-19 patients without proper PPE. 84% of nurses say they haven't been tested. Of those who have been, more than 500 have come back positive.
One-third of nurses say employers have required them to use their own sick-leave, vacation, or paid-time off if they need to self-quarantine. Multiple protests have been coordinated by nurses on the front lines to address these issues.
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