US hospitals tell doctors they’ll be fired if they speak out online or go to press about lack of gear

NYU Langone Health employees received a notice Friday saying that anyone who talked to the media without authorisation would be 'subject to disciplinary action, including termination'. A spokesman said the policy was to protect patient and staff confidentiality. — Reuters

US hospitals are threatening to fire health-care workers who publicise their working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic – and have in some cases followed through.

Ming Lin, an emergency room physician in Washington state, said he was told Friday he was out of a job because he’d given an interview to a newspaper about a Facebook post detailing what he believed to be inadequate protective equipment and testing. In Chicago, a nurse was fired after emailing colleagues that she wanted to wear a more protective mask while on duty. In New York, the NYU Langone Health system has warned employees they could be terminated if they talk to the media without authorisation.