From “Let them eat cake!” to “Let them breathe coronavirus!”

(Reuters) – A U.S. District Court on Friday dismissed a nurse association’s plea against New York state and two hospitals to provide safety equipment and adopt measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 among its members, asking the parties to reach an amicable agreement.

© Reuters/BRENDAN MCDERMID Nurses at Montefiore Medical Center Moses Division in Bronx hold protest demanding more PPE during outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York

Last month, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) sued the New York Department of Health, Montefiore Medical Center and the parent company of the Westchester Medical Center, saying the hospitals were ignoring requirements that healthcare workers each receive an N95 respirator mask daily, and that the health department was not enforcing it.

The Court said the parties are in a better position than the court to reach a resolution, adding that the court lacks the authority to address the nurse association’s concerns.

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