It is with a sad and heavy heart I am letting you all know that I had to quit my job on an inpatient psychiatric unit at Sheppard Pratt due to the leadership’s negligence regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. I had a long meeting with my manager and one of Sheppard Pratt’s highest leaders to speak about all the concerns we have as direct-care staff, and to relay some of the ideas I had for protecting us as well as our patients. These concerns were not appropriately validated, but my ideas were well-received. It is my hope that they will carry forward and help everyone left at Sheppard Pratt. Next, I asked them about protective gear (PPE), and informed them that I had secured enough masks from independent community outreach to cover the staff on my shift. They told me that no one will be permitted to wear masks. I shared with them that my fiancé has a medical vulnerability that makes her susceptible to becoming gravely ill if she contracts COVID-19, and that I do not feel safe working without a mask because of this. I was told to file for FMLA indefinitely during this time. I did my best to urge them that this was not the point, given that we ALL have loved homes at home, and that we all cannot take FMLA or the hospital would fall apart. Their response was that they will "cross that bridge if they get to it". Frustrated beyond belief at this point, I told them that I refuse to work without wearing a mask, and asked what would happen when I wore one. I was told that this would be “insubordination” and that I would receive disciplinary action, or even be fired. I let them know how absolutely absurd that is, and I turned in my badge and keys. My manager would not even allow me back on my unit to get my own belongings (she brought them out to me), or to say goodbye to any of my valued coworkers. To my TG team, I'm so sorry to be leaving you all like this, at a time like this. I really have come to love you all as family, and I am so heartbroken to leave you all behind. Rest assured I will continue my efforts to support you all, spread awareness of your leadership’s negligence, and secure the necessary supplies to keep you safe during this time. 

Governor Larry Hogan, I am urging you to enforce the right of ALL direct-care employees at Sheppard Pratt to wear masks and other PPE without fear of retaliation from their supervisors until the State of Emergency is lifted. It is everyone’s right during this COVID-19 outbreak to protect themselves and their at-risk loved ones without the risk of losing their job. It is unacceptable for employers to force any employee to choose between keeping their job/source of income (especially given the current economic state), and protecting the lives of their family members. By allowing the use of masks/PPE, you will better ensure the health and safety of every direct-care staff member, the vulnerable patients they serve, all of their loved ones at home, and ultimately that of our very own communities.