ATLANTA — Atlanta's police chief said she has more than a half dozen officers out sick with symptoms similar to coronavirus, but they haven't been tested.
"When they reach out to their doctors, the doctors aren’t testing them," said Police Chief Erika Shields. "They are just telling them to stay home, so we’re in that gray space.”
Shields said that when there is an emerging virus or sickness, it's the officers and first responders who put their lives on the line. Shields said that is the case here.
"We’ve been training our officers in first aid and first responder trauma for a few years now, but at the end of the day, you know what? When stuff unfolds for us, it unfolds real time," Shields said.
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Shields said until those 7 or 8 officers get tested, the department isn't taking any chances.
"We decontaminated several work sites this weekend, and most importantly, we're doing our job," Shields told Huddleston.
Shields wants the public to know that her 1,875 officers have been trained to take precautionary steps while they protect and serve during an uncertain time.
"We’re not allowing individuals off for vacation, but people still have off days," Shield said. "the way I’m viewing this is that it's going to be a marathon. This isn’t going to resolved itself in two weeks."
Shields wants the public to know that if you need help, don’t hesitate to call 911. That is the priority.
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