Santa Rosa Police Detective Marylou Armer was denied COVID19 testing twice before she went into the emergency room, was put into a coma and died alone.

Armer spent two weeks with a fever, aching body and shortness of breath. Armer asked twice to be tested for COVID-19. Armer was denied by Kaiser Permanente’s Vallejo Medical Center. She was not considered vulnerable because of her age and no underlying medical conditions. Armer was finally cleared to be tested on March 23, when her husband brought her to the emergency room. She was sedated, intubated, and placed in a medically induced coma. She died on March 31.

Armer was with the Santa Rosa Police Department for 20 years and her death is devastating to all who worked with her to help victims of crimes that include domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse and elder abuse.

But this is not an isolated incident. There have been several first responder deaths as a result of COVID-19 in the past few weeks – and there will be more. To date more than 20 law enforcement personnel alone, as well as nurses, doctors and firefighters have died from COVID 19. 

Athletes and Celebrities, and those with money at their disposal have been getting tested when they have no symptoms. Marylou knew something was wrong and was denied access to healthcare that may have saved her life.

"Armer Law" would allow that during any epidemic or pandemic, first responders which include but are not limited to; law enforcement, social workers, healthcare, and EMS workers, can NOT be denied testing, and should automatically be approved at the first sign of symptoms. They are on the front lines, entering people’s homes and having to make physical contact with the public, and they have the highest risk of exposure.

Also provided would be regular, continued testing if necessary, and treatment covered by worker’s compensation, not sick leave.

This death was preventable. 

Our first responders take care of us, it is time to take care of them.