I have seen that a few companies are offering paid leave if their workers test positive for COVID19. In theory this is great. In reality, this is bogus.
Policies are worded very specifically. Most of the statements I have seen that list paid leave are for patients that TEST positive for COVID19.
The problem is we do not have enough tests!
At my practice (a large, tertiary, University-based clinic in Southern California), we are operating under the assumption that most people who contract COVID19 will have a mild form of the disease that will not require a hospital admission. However, they will need to be off work for the duration to limit the spread and prevent a high-risk patient from contracting it and needing a hospital stay.
So the majority of my patients who develop fever and cough (in cold/flu season) are told to stay off work and to act/behave as if they have COVID19 but they do not have a confirmed positive test to support the diagnosis.
Are these people going to be able to claim benefits? I don’t know the answer to this. But if not, it will be a huge disincentive for people to follow recommendations and stay home when sick.
