Covid testers in Georgia hit with cars, threatened with guns

Healthcare workers in Georgia say they are dealing with extremely harsh reactions from the public.

Workers say that the unavailability of tests has lead to high tensions at testing centres.

"The demand in the last 10 days for testing has just skyrocketed," volunteer Judy Burd said to WSB Atlanta.

"There are a number of places in addition to the Department of Public Health, other private vendors that have stepped up to do this and assist, and so there is a lot of supply. However, it is far outstripped by demand," said Burd.

More than 5,000 at-home testing kits have been given to the public in DeKalb county alone, though the extreme jump in demand fueled by Omicron still leave volunteers lacking. Some, however, say that there are not even enough workers to do the job thoroughly.

"It’s not a question of whether or not we have enough tests, it’s a question of whether or not we have enough staff," COO of Emergent Testing Naaz Malek told WSB. "I will hire 10 workers today, but then I will hear from about six tonight saying, ‘I had an exposure,’ ‘I have a fever,’ ‘My throat hurts,’ ‘I tested positive,’" she said.

Some at sites have even resorted to violence, Malek said.

"The surge has gotten to the point of violence. We have had patients pull out guns at my site. They have threatened to kill my workers. They have hit my workers with their cars. They’ve spit on my workers," she said.

"They are putting themselves at risk because the ones that are getting COVID are getting it because of the work that they are doing," she said. "Be patient with us. Treat us with respect."

It has gotten to the point, she says, that Emergency Testing plans to hire their own private security, as police cannot be present at all times.

Governor Brian Kemp has also called for police to step up, writing in a letter: "As we work to support the increase in demand for testing, to the extent that you have deputies, officers, or troopers available, I would like to ask that you please keep an eye on these locations in your community."

Georgia reported nearly 20,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, destroying the state’s previous record by nearly 6,000.

In Canada, legislation has been introduced to amend their criminal code to specifically protect healthcare workers from violence.

"Health care workers have long faced difficult working conditions, including violence and threats of violence in the workplace. This situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. High profile public demonstrations have interfered with heath care workers and the public from accessing health care facilities," the Canadian government said in November.