Never before have we so desperately needed our front-line emergency workers. Yet as they start their careers, EMTs earn a salary close to the minimum wage. This, despite extensive training that enables them to differentiate between life-threatening conditions and those that can be treated more conventionally.
For the former they apply emergency measures, then rush the patient to a hospital with the siren on. For the latter, they are able to treat the patient in the ambulance with the initially required steps, while calling ahead to allow the hospital to get properly ready to receive a new patient not needing to be in the ICU. They do not use the siren.
But in these times, flaws in the system are being exposed. First of all, there are not enough EMTs. Second, new EMTs start at a distinct disadvantage. Here is a case in point:
Aidan developed symptoms consistent with coronavirus, so his doctor tested him for the virus. He was told to stay home and not go to work. He consulted two doctors to make sure. Since he is a new EMT, he receives no pay when he stays home.
Yet for the good of his patients and fellow workers he was ordered to stay home. So no paycheck.
Like most young people (he is 25), he has debts, including college loans and really needs that income, however modest.
Fortunately, he tested negative this time. But IMHO it is time for cities to suspend the "no pay" restriction for new EMTs. All we are doing is placing them at greater risk.
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