New York State Nurses Association sues state over COVID-19 work environment News
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New York State Nurses Association sues state over COVID-19 work environment

The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) filed three lawsuits Monday challenging the failure of the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and two hospitals to protect the health and safety of nurses treating COVID-19 patients.

The NYSNA claimed that the DOH, Montefiore Medical Center and Westchester Medical Center compromised the health and safety of their nurses for not providing impermeable gowns and other personal protection equipment, failing to provide safe working conditions for high-risk employees, and not properly training registered nurses redeployed from hospital units.

NYSNA Executive Director Pat Kane stated that “more than seven in ten of our nurses are reporting exposure to COVID-19 and most are still untested.” Kane said the lawsuits were filed to protect nurses, patients, and communities from “grossly inadequate and negligent protections.”

The suit seeks to restore safe working conditions for nurses and their patients and enforce Governor Andrew Cuomo’s April 13 directive that each direct care nurse be given at least one N95 respirator daily.

For more on COVID-19, see our special coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.