Daily Sitka Sentinel

Seasonal Workers Mitigation Plan Protested

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer

Dr. Elliot Bruhl, SEARHC vice president and chief medical director, is raising concerns about the planned arrival of some 450 seasonal workers - and what it means to Sitka in the city’s efforts to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19.

Under State Health Mandate 12, effective March 28, companies with seasonal workers are required to submit “a travel plan or protocol for maintaining critical infrastructure to akcovidplans@ak-prepared.com.”

“The plan should outline how you will avoid the spread of COVID-19 and not endanger the lives of the communities in which you operate, of others who serve as a part of that infrastructure, or the ability of that critical infrastructure to function,” the mandate says.

On Tuesday Bruhl sent a letter outlining his concerns to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Commissioner Julie Anderson, with copies sent to Gov. Dunleavy; Sitka City Administrator John Leach; Adam Crum, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services; Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska Chief Medical Officer; Sitka legislators Sen. Bert Stedman  and Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins; and Sitka Mayor Gary Paxton.

“We are calling attention to the plan because we do not believe the mitigation submittal can safely be implemented and would be in violation of Health Mandate 012,” Bruhl said in the letter. “At this time, SEARHC believes that the possible effects of 450 travelers to the City and Borough of Sitka could be catastrophic. We do not believe this is a risk that the State of Alaska should allow at this time without significant changes to the plan of mitigation.”

Silver Bay Seafoods bunkhouses at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park are pictured today. (Sentinel Photo)

City leaders, including staff and Assembly members, have heard similar concerns and have placed an item on Tuesday’s agenda for discussion and possible action.

Silver Bay Seafoods was asked by the Sentinel to comment on Bruhl’s letter, and sent a response (see below). The company said the plan will be available to the public, and the company welcomes dialogue with state officials and local leaders.

Bruhl said in his April 7 letter that he was writing in his capacity as SEARHC vice president and chief medical officer.

He is also an incident commander in the city’s COVID emergency response team.

“... I have led our organization’s response and planning for the COVID-19 pandemic in all 27 communities served by SEARHC across the Southeast region,” he said in the letter. “As a physician, I have practiced in Sitka and other communities for more than 20 years, and I have a detailed familiarity with our communities, their economy, and their people.”

He said he has been heartened by the governor’s response to the pandemic, to slow the spread of the virus, and prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed. That has included the mandates the governor he has put in place.

“SEARHC, a regional healthcare provider, has been proactively planning a response ahead of coronavirus reaching Southeast Alaska,” Bruhl stated, adding that local community members have worked hard to “flatten the curve” of the infection rate and follow all state and local mandates.

“Due to their diligence, we have yet to have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Sitka,” Bruhl said.

He then states his reason for writing: his concern about Silver Bay’s plan to control the risk of coronavirus related to the planned arrival of 450 seasonal workers from out of state.

“Through Sitka’s Emergency Unified Command structure, we have been made aware that seafood processing company Silver Bay Seafoods plans to relocate 450 workers from the lower 48 and Mexico to Sitka for seasonal fish processing,

“I have reviewed their mitigation plan in detail, and while it may appear reasonable, in its present form, it is contradictory to medical reason, Specifically, these workers can’t travel to Alaska without traveling through areas with high levels of COVID-19. It is naive to believe that all 450 of their workers will self-quarantine for 14 days before embarking for Alaska. It is unrealistic to plan quarantine for 14 days after arrival in a bunkhouse due to shared sleeping quarters.

“The medical reality is that despite best efforts, if this plan is enacted, the virus will come to Sitka and spread to these workers and the community, creating a strain on limited medical resources intended for the entire region.”

Bruhl wondered if there wasn’t a better solution, and mentioned the hundreds of workers in Sitka who were laid off because of the coronavirus measures.

“There is a potential workforce available in the community to fill the needs of the employer,” he said. 

He concluded with a request that state authorities review Silver Bay Seafoods’ Travel Plan and Policy.

Asked for a comment, Silver Bay Seafoods president and CEO, Cora Campbell, issued this statement:

“We care deeply about the health, safety, and economy of this community – Sitka is home for this company. From the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic we have been engaging with health care professionals, community and government officials, and seafood industry representatives to build extensive plans focused on protecting communities and our workforce from COVID-19. 

“We believe Dr. Bruhl’s letter is based on a preliminary early draft plan outlining minimum measures we saw as being immediately available to cover any critical travel needs for Silver Bay staff statewide. We are currently working to improve the initial plan in light of information and resources that have subsequently become available, and we will have a final plan in place prior to movement of any processing workers into the community of Sitka.

“It will be consistent with, and will often exceed, the guidance and mandates issued by the State of Alaska and CDC. Due to the extremely fluid situation with the virus, testing availability, and a number of other factors, we plan to continue to develop and revise our procedures over the next several months before salmon season begins. Our plans are public and we welcome dialogue and review with the state officials and local leaders.” 

Bruhl said today that he understands the importance of the fishing industry, as “a cornerstone of our economy.” 

“To say that caution needs to be exercised in the implementation of any importation of employees is an understatement,” he said. “I’m not saying it can’t be done but it can’t be done in a cavalier manner... We’re here for the entire region – they’re counting on us too; we’re committed to them, the way we’re committed to every person in town.”