By Beth LeBlanc
More than half of the 37 workplace-related deaths (click here) investigated by Michigan's regulators so far this year are linked to COVID-19.
Among the 19 individuals whose deaths are being investigated are an Ann Arbor bus driver and custodian, Lapeer and Adrian corrections officer, a Flint supply chain clerk, a Sturgis laborer as well as health care workers in Detroit, Battle Creek, Flint, Dearborn, Saginaw and Ann Arbor, according to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Six COVID-19 fatalities have been closed with no citations issued, according to state regulators....
These were early on in the pandemic. No doubt it was a matter of understanding the transmission which also includes exposure of eyes. The one death that causes concern the most is the bus driver. He got sick really fast and he was exposing others getting on and off the bus.
A 51-year-old Ann Arbor bus driver experienced virus symptoms while transporting passengers March 16. He called in sick the next day, was admitted to the hospital March 22 and died March 28, the same day he tested positive for COVID-19.
The youngest were in their 40s and the oldest in their 60s. Most became seriously ill and some died at home trying to see the virus course through. It really is a problem. The best place for these folks is the hospital and not home, but, the hospitals are overwhelmed so we are falling short of sufficient care for the people that contract the virus.
This oxygen tent could be applied to home therapy with an oxygen compressor or tanks of oxygen.
- CE and FDA Registered
- U.S. Patent 9,931,482
- Two-Piece design allows for quick and easy access to patient without taking off the entire hood assembly
- Optimum cooling and noise reduction
- Patented one-piece neck ring design eliminates the potential of bacteria from being trapped inside the ring, and can be easily cleaned via autoclave, gas sterilization, and germicidal disinfectants.
- Neck ring is reusable
- Conveniently located hoses reduce bulk and improve comfort
- Designed for simplicity, performance, economy, ease-of-use and safe effective cleaning
- Innovative design allows patient to recline comfortably
- Multipurpose port for gas analysis
- Positive O-ring seal between hood and neck ring
- Soft vinyl hood with extra-large optical quality window
- Silicone neck seal untrimmed, light blue, class VI, medical grade
It is my understanding the virus causes oxygen depletion. There can be other issues with a person's health, but, the majority of patients are lacking sufficient oxygen to support their bodies. There is no reason EVERY patient at home should be in danger of insufficient oxygen. There is just simply no reason with technology that is this mobile. Americans can learn how to take care of themselves and report changes in their status by monitoring their oxygen saturation on a pulse ox that can be purchased at Amazon. This is home care capacity and should be issued to EVERY patient sent home to fight the virus.
I believe the people that died were welcome as employees and their employers did not have the ability to fully understand what to do to protect them or customers. It is a matter of innocence because they didn't act out of negligence. They didn't know they were negligent. These employers are innocent and they should be reviewed to have their fines returned.
In the case of health care workers, it was because PPE was at a premium and no hospital was sufficiently stocked. Sue the federal government and Trump personally for the sincere lack of response to this national emergency. I don't believe any hospital administrator deliberately withheld INFORMATION or EQUIPMENT. I think they took every life seriously. The lack of PPE was not their fault. I believe the best of all these employers UNLESS there are sincerely troubling facts stating there were deliberate decisions that placed people in danger. I don't believe that thinking existed, but, there always seems to be at least one bad apple.
I strongly believe the fines are unfair and it has nothing to do with any decision by a Michigan court. It is a matter of fairness in governance. It is a national emergency and I believe people act out of concern.
