By Amanda Lien
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — An online petition calling for a law mandating that all first responders be approved for testing at the first sign of symptoms during a pandemic has received more than 6,500 signatures since it was launched four days ago.
The petition is in honor of Santa Rosa Police Detective Marylou Armer, who was denied COVID-19 testing twice before her eventual death due to the coronavirus. Kaiser Permanente’s Vallejo Medical Center confirmed that Armer was not tested for the coronavirus because of her age and lack of underlying medical conditions. The petition was launched by Megan Berger, a graduate EMT and activist.
“‘Armer Law’ would allow that during any epidemic or pandemic, first responders which include but are not limited to; law enforcement, social workers, healthcare, and EMS workers, can NOT be denied testing, and should automatically be approved at the first sign of symptoms,” the petition description reads. “They are on the front lines, entering people’s homes and having to make physical contact with the public, and they have the highest risk of exposure.”
The petition is addressed to state Senators Bill Dodd, Diana Feinstein and Kamala Harris, U.S. Representative Mike Thompson and Governor Gavin Newsom. It has received dozens of comments from first responders, people with friends and relatives on the front lines of the crisis, and other supporters.
“I’m a nurse and I believe it’s important for all essential workers to be able to be tested if they request to be AND required to be tested if showing ANY symptoms,” one comment read.
“Being a popular celebrity or an athlete shouldn’t dictate your place in line for any medical testing, especially for COVID-19,” another comment added. “It should be your present condition of showing signs and or symptoms that determine if you are a candidate for testing and medical treatment. Many lives could have been saved. Those who protect others should also be protected.”