Medical Director email

Below is an email that was sent out by the medical director a few days ago. Has anyone seen this? if anyone has input on it please comment below. Let’s start a dialogue and figure out how to approach this issue.

Dear NDOC Staff, In accordance with the Department of Administration’s directive, current CDC guidelines, and NDOC protocols, effective immediately, all Nevada state employees who work within an institutional facility whether in direct inmate/patient care or facility support are advised to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Those who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 must continue to wear an N95 mask and must submit to either a PCR and/or a rapid COVID-19 test (BinaxNOW) twice weekly. Proof of this test must be presented to the Human Resources Division. Once an employee has provided proof of vaccination to the Human Resources Division, an N95 mask and testing proof will no longer be required. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination must be emailed toFMLA@doc.nv.gov. If an employee who has not submitted proof of vaccination is working without an N95 mask, he/she will first be directed to wear their mask. Employees who continue to fail to do so may be subject to the appropriate level of progressive discipline. Additionally, employees who fail to comply with testing requirements will also be subject to progressive discipline. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) What is the leave policy regarding COVID-19 exposure and/or infection? Certain employees have medical conditions that prevent them from getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Effective June 1, 2021, any employee that contracts COVID-19 should be able to furnish evidence of having begun or completed COVID-19 vaccination. If an employee has not been vaccinated for COVID-19, that employee should furnish a doctor’s affirmation of having a medical condition that prevents COVID-19 vaccination. If an employee is unable to do so or has confirmed to an appointing authority that they did not seek vaccination and will not do so, then the employee will be required to use sick leave, and not be eligible for paid administrative leave in cases of employee exposure to and/or infection with COVID-19. What is the mask requirement for staff who are vaccinated for COVID-19? Staff who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will not be required to wear a mask. What is the mask requirement for inmates who are vaccinated for COVID-19? Inmates who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will not be required to wear a mask. Inmates who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will be required to wear an N95 mask. Are staff required to wear masks when transporting inmates? Staff and inmates, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, are required to wear an N-95 mask when transporting inmates housed in a secure facility What are the mask requirements for inmates participating in programs? Inmates in programs will need to wear an N95 mask at all times and may participate with inmates from other housing units subject to social distancing, hygiene protocols and reduced class sizes. Are NDF inmates required to wear an N-95 mask when in the community? No. NDF inmates are required to wear a simple cloth mask while in the community if they have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. NDF inmates that have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are not required to wear a mask while in the community. What is the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for educators (i.e. School districts, Universities and community colleges), contract workers and volunteers? Educators, contract workers and volunteers will not be permitted entry to any NDOC facilities unless they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Educators, contract workers, and volunteers who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will not need to wear an N95 mask or submit to bi-weekly COVID-19 testing. What is the mask requirement for visitors and legal representatives during inmate visitation hours? Visitors to inmates during designated visitation hours at all facilities will be required to wear a simple face mask at all times during visitation. What is the definition of an individual fully vaccinated for COVID-19? Individuals are considered FULLY vaccinated for COVID-19: 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine Is there a training requirement for visiting staff, contract workers and volunteers? All educators, contract workers and volunteers will be required to attend and complete non-uniformed and COVID-19 training prior to entry to facilities. COVID-19 training dates will be announced. However, Wardens retain ultimate authority to grant entry of all non-NDOC staff to their respective facilities. Are educators, contract workers and volunteers required to produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination? Educators, contract workers, volunteers and NDOC staff who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 are expected to carry a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card and to email proof of vaccination to FMLA@doc.nv.gov. Human Resources will maintain an employee roster and update with the COVID-19 vaccination date(s) and type which will be updated daily. The employee roster will be updated with copies/photographs of CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Cards. Access to the employee roster will be limited to Human Resources Division personnel and their facility delegates to ensure patient privacy and compliance with HIPAA regulations. Supervisors will need to contact Human Resources to verify employee COVID-19 vaccination status. What are the consequences of not abiding by the new mask policies? NDOC Staff/educators/contract workers found to be in violation of these requirements will be subject to corrective/disciplinary actions and/or denied access to all NDOC facilities. NDOC staff found to be non-compliant with the above directive will be issued a letter of instruction from Human Resources. Is it still possible for staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination? At what threshold of vaccination is the NDOC striving for? All NDOC staff who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 are encouraged to email and schedule vaccination through Ruby Cordero, Director of Nursing (rcordero@doc.nv.gov). This directive is subject to change once vaccination rates among offenders and staff exceed the 70% threshold. These directives may change subject to new information provided by the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Michael Minev, M.D.

Medical Director

Nevada Department of Corrections

3955 West Russell Road

Las Vegas, NV 89118

Cell: 775-722-8073

Office: 725-216-6034