Workers' Compensation: NJ’s COVID-19 Response: Key Lessons and Future Steps

The Independent Review of New Jersey’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, conducted by Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP. This comprehensive review, released on March 7, 2024, evaluates New Jersey’s preparedness, response, and lessons learned during the pandemic. It also provides recommendations to enhance future emergency management.

Key Findings and Recommendations:

Pre-Pandemic Preparedness:
- The report highlights that New Jersey and the nation were unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite having a century to learn from the 1918 influenza pandemic, the lack of robust plans and resources hindered an adequate response.
- Recommendation: New Jersey must invest in pre-pandemic preparedness by developing clear, executable plans, ensuring adequate healthcare infrastructure, and stockpiling essential medical supplies.
Healthcare Infrastructure and Resources:
- The state faced challenges due to an inadequate healthcare infrastructure and scarcity of basic medical supplies.
- Recommendation: Strengthen healthcare systems, improve resource allocation, and establish mechanisms to manage limited resources during crises. This includes bolstering staffing, training, and supply chains.
Workplace Measures:
- The report doesn’t explicitly focus on workplace measures, but its recommendations indirectly impact workplaces.
- Recommendation: Implement workplace-specific guidelines, such as:
  - Hygiene Protocols: Regular handwashing, sanitization, and surface cleaning.
  - Social Distancing: Maintain physical distance in workplaces.
  - Mask Usage: Encourage or mandate mask-wearing to reduce transmission.
  - Ventilation: Improve indoor air quality to minimize virus spread.
  - Testing and Tracing: Regular testing and efficient contact tracing.
  - Vaccination: Promote vaccination among employees.
  - Remote Work: Encourage telecommuting where feasible.
  - Sick Leave Policies: Ensure employees can stay home when ill without repercussions.
  - Isolation Areas: Designate spaces for employees showing symptoms.
  - Education and Training: Educate employees about COVID-19 prevention.
  - Monitoring and Compliance: Regularly assess and enforce safety measures.
- By implementing these recommendations, workplaces can significantly reduce disease transmission and protect employees.

Pandemic Preparedness:

The Independent Review serves as a critical playbook for New Jersey, guiding the state toward better preparedness for future crises. Let us learn from this experience and take proactive steps to avoid similar challenges in the future.

Independent Review of New Jersey's Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Recommended Citation: Gelman, Jon L., NJ’s COVID-19 Response: Key Lessons and Future Steps, www.gelmans.com (08/01/2024)
https://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/2024/08/njs-covid-19-response-key-lessons-and.html

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*Jon L. Gelman of Wayne, NJ, is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters). For over five decades, the Law Offices of Jon Gelman 1.973.696.7900
jon@gelmans.com has represented injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational illnesses and diseases.