WASHINGTON - April 26, 2020 - Faculty at the George Washington University [GWU] were told in an email that "as part of our university's response to the COVID-19 pandemic," they were being provided with an on-line "collection of mindfulness, sleep, and movement exercises," reports public interest law professor John Banzhaf. The email was signed by Dana Bradley, Vice President and Chief People Officer.

But, having already announced plans for a return to in-classroom instruction this fall - despite the unavoidable risks posed by the deadly and highly contagious coronavirus which experts say will still be present at least through the fall term - and then retreating only days later, GWU has refused to offer any assurances, much less specific plans, that faculty members and students who are at especially high risk for contracting COVID-19 will receive any of the protections or accommodations required by law, being proposed by experts, and offered by other universities.

GWU has publicly acknowledged on its web site that "early information indicates some individuals are at a HIGHER RISK of getting VERY SICK from this virus. This includes: Older adults and People who have serious chronic medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes and lung disease." [emphasis added]

As a result of its refusal to provide any assurances regarding safety from contagion, the university has been put on legal notice that some faculty whose medical conditions put them at "higher risk of getting very sick" from the virus may be filing formal legal complaints under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the D.C. Human Rights Act (which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities), the general duty clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and other programs under which they may be entitled by law to obtain some of the protection experts are saying is necessary.




http://banzhaf.net/ jbanzhaf3ATgmail.com @profbanzhaf

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