Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace (D-Lancaster) on Thursday urged Governor Cuomo, SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson and University at Buffalo President Satish Tripathi to offer vacant student housing at the University at Buffalo to the COVID healthcare heroes, giving them a safe space to rest without fear of infecting loved ones.

In a letter sent Thursday, Assemblymember Wallace asked state and SUNY officials to work with University at Buffalo administrators on a plan to shelter local COVID heroes in a limited number of vacant student housing units on campus. Many healthcare workers have raised concerns about the possibility of carrying the virus home to family members, some of whom may be at greater risk of infection due to age or compromised immune systems. These concerns have led some healthcare workers to find alternative housing.

“Our healthcare workers are on the front lines of this crisis, putting themselves at extraordinary risk to save lives,” Assemblymember Wallace said. “The last thing they should have to worry about at the end of their shift is spreading a dangerous virus to their parents, children, or spouses.”

Here in New York and across the country, healthcare workers constitute a significant portion of overall confirmed cases. This number is sure to grow as our region approaches the apex. Some hospitals have paid for hotel rooms for staff members, but not all hospitals can offer this solution. This has led some healthcare workers to search for alternative housing to avoid contact with vulnerable family members.

“Healthcare workers are going to work every day to care for our community, risking their health and the health of their family members. Many live with high risk individuals who may die if the virus is contracted. Although some have the ability to isolate in basements, garages and campers, others don’t have those options and are looking to the community for support and resources. We want to stay healthy so we can continue to come to work each day to care for our community during this crisis,” said Cori Gambini, president of CWA Local 1168, a union representing many of the nurses in Western New York’s local hospitals.

The University at Buffalo currently has hundreds of unoccupied rooms, including many apartment-style “suites” with private bathrooms. Assemblymember Wallace urged state and SUNY officials to develop a plan to offer some of these vacant rooms to healthcare workers who are treating COVID patients and reluctant to return home. She expressed confidence that a plan could be developed to offer this solution without endangering the safety of the limited number of students and staff who remain on campus.

“Tragically, we have already lost too many Western New Yorkers to this terrible disease and have seen hundreds of brave healthcare workers fall ill. We should employ all of our resources to ensure that these COVID heroes and their families are protected,” said Assemblymember Wallace.

Read the letter here.