MSDC Issues Physician Protection Statement During COVID-19 April 9, 2020

The below is a letter MSDC President J. Desiree Pineda, MD, FACP, sent to all MSDC members.

Dear Colleagues,

MSDC has been working hard on numerous ways to help you through this COVID-19 epidemic. However, we have been hearing locally and nationally the struggles of physicians needing protection of health and protection of speech. We feel compelled to speak on behalf of physicians in need who may not be able to speak for themselves.

This morning, your Board endorsed the MSDC Statement on Protecting District Physicians During COVID-19. I encourage you to read the entire statement and share with your colleagues to show how MSDC supports your fundamental rights during this time. Below is a summary of the four points in the statement:

- Physicians must be supplied adequate PPE - this responsibility falls on employers and government entities as supply permits.
- Physicians must be allowed to bring homemade PPE into work if shortages necessitate it.
- Physicians must not be penalized for speaking publicly on COVID-19, even statements that reflect current situations in their workplace.
- Physicians must be permitted to speak publicly on public health issues without fear of retribution.

MSDC Statement on Protecting District Physicians During COVID-19
 
This is more than just a document, this is a guidepost on which MSDC will continue to base its outreach and advocacy. I ask you to share this far and wide, so your colleagues know MSDC is here to advocate for you and your basic needs. If you want advice or guidance on how to share this message, attend our social media advocacy webinar this Saturday or contact MSDC EVP Robert Hay.

I thank the Council for Medical Specialty Societies for their April 2 statement, on which our language is based.

Sincerely,
J. Desiree Pineda, MD, FACP
President, MSDC