Gov. asked to protect nurses from possible spread of Ebola
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) -- California nurses say they are encouraged, but still concerned after a closed door meeting with Gov. Jerry Brown in which they urged him to act now to protect them and others from the possible spread of Ebola.
They marched into the governor's office, two dozen strong nurses from all over the state, demanding Brown step up protections for those who may work with an Ebola patient.
"The governor made a promise that he would listen to the nurses, he would respect the nurses, he would interact with the nurses and he would be there every step of the way," said Roseann Demoro, executive director of National Nurses United.
Besides Brown, the meeting included officials from Cal-OSHA and the State Department of Industrial Relations.
The nurses want Brown to order hospitals to immediately adopt the federal Centers for Disease Control protocols for Ebola. Nurses say right now, no hospital in California is truly prepared.
"We want hazmat suits that do not allow for viral or blood penetration," said nurse Katy Roemer. "And we want interactive face-to-face training, using the equipment so that we can be completely proficient prior to a patient with Ebola walking into our facilities."
VIDEO: Santa Clara County puts Ebola plan in place
Though there has not been a case of Ebola in California, the nurses claim the time to get prepared has passed.
"The reality of it is, is it's not going to be soon enough," said nurse Maureen Dugan. "These hospitals are really responsible in not being prepared already and we have had to sound the alarm."
In Aug., the California Department of Public Health launched an informational website about Ebola, offering guidance to healthcare workers.
They are recommendations, not requirements.
For full coverage on the Ebola virus, click here.
