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Nursing home workers rally in Maitland to demand better pay, protective equipment

MAITLAND, Fla. — The people having to take the place of loved ones inside nursing homes and assisted living facilities held a rally Wednesday saying that they deserve better.

Healthcare workers protested in Maitland demanding better pay and better protection.

READ: Florida reports another 130 deaths linked to coronavirus, more than 2K new cases

“Coronavirus

They said they’re fed up with a lack of respect, pay and personal protective equipment.

“Our essential workers are predominately people of color, are predominantly women, and have been left behind,” Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani said.

The workers said they are risking their lives every day for salaries barely over minimum wage.

READ: Florida to allow nursing home, assisted living facility visitations

“You know, our families are scared,” one worker said. “When we hit that door and they know we’re going to work, some of them are like ‘don’t go, don’t go.’ But we’ve got to do it.”

The group of healthcare workers are asking to sit down meeting with AHCA Secretary Mary Mayhew.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.