County COVID policy gets pushback

A proposed change to Monroe County’s COVID policy got pushback Wednesday over its separate treatment of vaccinated and unvaccinated employees.

The policy was introduced at the monthly county board meeting where Personnel Director Ed Smudde said it was an extension of current policy approved in June that outlines mitigation practices for employees.

The current policy is set to expire Sept. 30, which would leave county staff in a difficult situation, according to Smudde.

Currently, if a staff members have to stay home with a quarantined child or are quarantined themselves, they can use sick leave to cover the time off. However, if the policy is allowed to expire, they would only be allowed to use 24 hours of family sick leave and the rest would be subtracted from vacation time. He said 20 staff are presently on COVID leave.

The policy gives staff the option to use sick leave or leave without pay. While supervisors seemed fine with that, the sticking point on the policy was its differentiation between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees regarding masking and other mitigation practices.

Under the proposed policy, vaccinated employees have much more leeway in when they can remove masks during work hours. The unvaccinated are held to stricter standards.

Smudde said employees are being trusted to adjust to the policy given their vaccination status and the county is not requiring proof of vaccination except in the case of the nursing home, which operates under federal and state regulations.

“But we are requiring our staff to be truthful, honest and self-monitor,” said Smudde.

Supervisor Remy Gomez said the policy was divisive and preferred a mask optional approach.

“I don’t take COVID lightly but we have a vaccine for a reason and if you want it or not you are treated the same – period,” he said, adding the level of risk in the county doesn’t justify the mitigation measures.

Smudde defended the policy, saying, the lack of a COVID policy could expose the county to liability. “This is a policy we’ve had in place. We’re not being political with this; we are using the guidance we have been given.”

Supervisor Mary Von Ruden said unfortunately it has become a political issue and the county board is supposed to be a non-partisan body. She referred to emails supervisors received saying they wouldn’t be re-elected if they voted in favor of the policy.

Supervisor Brett Larkin wanted the policy the same for unvaccinated and vaccinated staff.

“The vaccinated and unvaccinated can both transmit virus,” he said. “It doesn’t depend on if employees are vaccinated, it depends on if the public is.”

Gomez made a motion to extend the current policy to Nov. 30 and have the administrative committee address the concerns over the difference in mitigation efforts based on vaccination status.

“The vaccine portion is irrelevant,” he said. “Have masks optional, that’s your policy.”

The amended resolution passed unanimously.