State employees tackle going to work as SC coronavirus outbreak spreads
All branches of the state Department of Motor Vehicles are staying open in South Carolina even though locations are taking actions now to limit public and state employee exposure to one another as positive coronavirus cases continue to tick up and as more people are being tested.
State health officials reported 45 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total number statewide to 125 cases in 25 counties.
The rising cases are unsettling to the nerves of some DMV workers who, because they are considered essential, are required to work.
One DMV employee told The State that workers are not being given masks or gloves to protect themselves, despite the agency now practicing social distancing between employee and customers and wiping down surfaces before and after individuals use anything.
“How essential are we going to be if we’re not even there,” the employee, who asked to remain anonymous, told The State, referring to what would happen if employees get sick and are unable to work.
“We’re essential enough to have our health taken seriously.”
According to an email provided to The State from one employee, DMV director Kevin Shwedo notified employees that should an employee need to be away from the office for any reason related to COVID-19, including for childcare needs related to school closures, those employees can use their sick leave, annual leave, or take a “leave without pay status” if that employee has used up all of their saved leave.
In an interview with The State on Friday, Shwedo said employees are not being given masks or gloves because the agency doesn’t want to take the protective equipment, which is in short supply, away from medical personnel treating patients with COVID-19.
Shwedo said he is, however, worried about his employees who are single parents, who could get sick and become unable to work and provide for their families. “I can’t afford to put the population at risk,” Shwedo said.
On Thursday, Gov. Henry McMaster ordered that all nonessential state employees work from home, charging agency directors with determining which employees are nonessential. The DMV provides “essential, mission-critical services,” Shwedo told his employees in an email Thursday, saying those factors are “what you all and this agency provide each and every day regardless of the circumstances facing the state.”
A complete switch from earlier this week, South Carolinians who now visit the DMV are not allowed to sit in the waiting areas while waiting on an available employee to help them, Shwedo said. Greeters help make sure people keep a healthy, six-foot distance between each other and don’t move forward until there is a spot open at the counter.
Road exams have been suspended to ensure social distancing. However, Shwedo said the state will accept third-party testing, meaning if someone is able to pass a road exam with another provider, they can still obtain a driver’s license.
The agency is still offering written tests, wiping down testing areas after each exam, Shwedo said. Alcohol swabs are already provided for people to wipe down eye exam stations.
Calls to stay at home amid the coronavirus spread has slowed traffic at the agency.
Last week, DMV branches saw as high as 35,000 transactions per day. On Friday, it was about 18,000 per day.
An important deadline for state residents who want to board an airplane or enter a federal building also is approaching, meaning the coronavirus could pose an obstacle to those who haven’t taken steps yet to meet it.
Shwedo said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has received requests to extend the Oct. 1 deadline to get the new REAL ID license, which allows people to fly on a domestic flight or enter a federal building. The license can be ordered online, but not every one has the proper paperwork to do that, and some South Carolinians are finding themselves unable to get a license because of a name change.
So far, the federal government has not granted that request.
“People are procrastinating,” Shwedo said. “The virus will compound that problem.”
Not every branch is seeing that slow down though, the DMV employee told The State. The employee also said while some employees and individuals are wearing gloves to work, necessary supplies, such as cleaning wipes, are scarce and employees have had to resort to paper towels and spray or buy wipes on their own.
Some pressure from employees to work from home might have paid off.
A DMV employee told The State employees were given a form to sign Friday requesting to telecommute for several days within two weeks in an effort to limit exposure between employees and the public.
“This has been the main topic of conversation,” the employee said. “It’s the only thing employees and customers are talking about.”
‘Nobody wants to get sick’
Other state agencies told The State they are modifying procedures as the maintain their essential responsibilities.
For instance, the state’s Department of Social Services, which oversees child welfare, vulnerable adults and food stamps, said while it’s working through its mandates and orders from state government, home visits will continue and in-person visits will go on in cases of neglect and abuse.
Monthly check-ins, meanwhile, are taking place virtually.
Instead of a home visit, social workers are using video chatting platforms such as Skype or FaceTime.
“We are taking measured steps to respond to DHEC and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines and the governor’s executive order,” said Pamela Bryant, a spokeswoman for DSS. “We are advising our staff to take precautions that are advised by DHEC and CDC. In the event we need to engage our law enforcement partners, we can do that as well.”
Bryant said intake hubs and out-of-home abuse and neglect functions are still operating normally.
So far, there has been no upticks in volume of calls, Bryant said in an email. Bryant said the agency will continue to respond to accepted reports of abuse.
“We know this may change and are planning accordingly to ensure accepted reports are investigated timely and properly,” she said.
At the state’s Health and Human Services Department, the agency said it has taken steps to ensure its employees’ safety.
Agency offices are operating at its normal hours, but it has closed local eligibility and community long-term care offices to walk-ins. A spokesman said the agency also has extended telecommuting and leave flexibility to employees. Facilities also have had cleanings.
All 2,700 uniformed officers who work for the state’s prison system are considered essential.
While both outside visitation and volunteer services have been canceled, Corrections spokeswoman Christy Shain said life inside the institutions is going on as usual.
Inmates can go to the cafeteria and recreation yards, but of course are reminded to be diligent about washing their hands, cleaning their areas and social distancing.
“Nobody wants to get sick,” Shain said.
At the Department of Public Safety, which oversees Highway Patrol, changes have been made between trooper and driver.
If motorists are pulled over, troopers might request drivers hold up their license and registration, rather than the trooper touching the documents. Troopers also have been advised to properly disinfect after each interaction with a person, said spokeswoman Sherri Iacobelli. And officers are told to limit physical contact with people and, if they have to transport someone to jail, seats must be wiped down afterwards.
“S.C. DPS has disseminated information frequently to our employees from S.C. DHEC regarding the importance of preventive measures such as thorough hand-washing and social distancing,” Iacobelli said by email. “The goal with any change in protocol is to minimize the spread of the virus by taking proactive measures.”
‘This is not of their own making’
South Carolina Sen. Darrell Jackson said he has heard concerns from state employees that are working in close quarters.
Prior to the governor’s Thursday order, the Richland Democrat expressed concern that employees, particularly those who needed to work from home because they have children, were being forced to use their paid leave time.
“This is not of their own making,” Jackson said.
State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, an Orangeburg Democrat and also an outspoken advocate for state employees in the General Assembly, said with so much unknown, she has heard concerns from employees over whether their wages will stay the same.
“I think there is a lot of clarity that is needed from a salary standpoint to assure employees who are working remotely what affect this will have on their paychecks,” Cobb-Hunter said.
Carlton Washington, who heads the South Carolina State Employees Association, said the health crisis will show South Carolinians just how important state government services are.
“State employees have to work and provide critical services that every citizen in South Carolina in depending on,” Washington said, arguing that employees should be paid far higher.
“State employees want to be respected for the critical jobs they perform for the citizens of South Carolina. Needs for mental health services will go through the room in times like this.”
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
