In a statement issued Thursday night, the Department of Education defended its decision not to provide face masks to its employees amid the coronavirus pandemic, citing guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends face masks only be worn by medical professionals treating coronavirus patients, or coronavirus patients themselves until they are isolated either at a hospital or home.
D.O.E. also noted that face masks and gloves are in shortly supply. "As the coronavirus continues to spread rapidly around the globe, there is a shortage of face masks and gloves for use by medical professionals who are at the forefront of fighting the disease. Supplies cannot be produced fast enough, as demand far exceeds production rates. When made available, these critical items are rightly being supplied first to medical professionals and other first responders," D.O.E. said.
It remains unclear why D.O.E. had to go to such lengths about face masks. The statement issued, titled "Statement on Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Essential Employees", did not provide details on possible complaints from parents or teachers.
Relative to protective gear to help contain the spread of the disease, D.O.E. said its kitchen managers, kitchen workers, school monitors, and school bus drivers who are essential to the preparation and distribution of meals to students during the current school closures, have been provided personal protective equipment (PPE), in the form of disposable gloves, to ensure workers’ safety while performing their duties.
"Additionally, adequate instruction on frequent hand cleansing, social distancing and remaining at home when sick is regularly provided to all VIDE employees in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic," the department said.
D.O.E. said it remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees during the coronavirus crisis.
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