SDMAC’s current recommendations include people 70+, educators, first responders, inmates; not public transport, manufacturing or grocery workers
MADISON, Wis. – As the state begins to move towards phase 1B of the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the grocers are worried that their workers will be left behind.
This week, police and firefighters became the first group eligible under Tier 1B to receive vaccines. State health officials are still finalizing which additional groups will join them. The public comment was closed Tuesday on the recommendations of the State Disaster and Medical Advisory Committee to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The SDMAC Vaccine Subcommittee included people 70 years and older, congregation groups, including the inmates, first responders, and educators in the 1B recommendations.
The state has the final verdict, and groceries, including Roundy’s Supermarkets, which owns Pick ‘n Saves, are urging Governor Tony Evers to include workers in the grocery store in the next round of vaccination.
“I just think there is no public place where more people gather than the grocery store,” said James Hyland, vice president of public affairs for Roundy’s. “Our people have been called heroes for many months.”
Hyland said the state’s largest grocery store brings 1.2 million people a week to its stores in Wisconsin.
‘It’s not ideal for morality. They worked long, hard hours. They have been working under the stress for months, ”he said. “We’ve had hundreds of people who have decided to take shifts because they do not want to be exposed to the virus.”
Following health workers who were part of Tier 1A, many groceries expected their employees to be admitted to Tier 1B after reviewing federal guidelines on vaccine distribution.
“(Grocery store workers) have been essential since March,” said Wisconsin Grocers Association president Brandon Scholz. ‘(Grocers) is incredible. They are shocked. Since March, they have done everything they had to do and more. ”
Scholz said these efforts have made a difference, but despite all the health precautions, it is impossible to completely block workers against the COVID-19 facing the public.
“Yes, people got sick,” he said. “Yes, people were admitted to the hospital.”
He and groceries, including Roundy’s Supermarkets, sent letters to the state asking that Wisconsin’s approximately 60,000 grocery workers be part of Tier 1B – not just for the safety of the workers themselves.
“Employers are concerned about this, and consumers need to be concerned,” Scholz said. “If you’re a buyer, you really need to worry about this.”
“We try not only to protect our people, but also our customers,” Hyland said. “The sooner we can get the vaccine, the less transmission of the virus will take place.”
SDMAC’s subcommittee on vaccinations meets again on Tuesday at 07:00
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