New York, NY - 1199SEIU President George Gresham today released the following statement in response to attacks on the credibility of health care workers during New York State COVID-19 hearings:

“1199SEIU members and other first responders have been risking their lives and the lives of their families since March. They selflessly went into rooms of infected patients without the PPE needed to keep themselves safe, and they did it because of their commitment and dedication to fighting this deadly pandemic with every ounce of their being. It is unconscionable that their accounts of what they experienced in institutions are being questioned, and that makes me question how our State actually views and values our healthcare heroes. Our members didn’t and still don’t have time to play politics - they’re too busy fighting to save lives.”