8222020 Proper PPE Use A Priority on the Saratoga Backstretch

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Contact Paul Ruchames FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEBEST Executive Director Aug 21 2020(516) 488-3434paulbestbackstretchorg

BEST PARTNERS WITH NENY-COSH TO REEMPHASIZE

PROPER USE OF PPE

The Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) will team up with the Northeast NewYork Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (NENY-COSH) on Aug 24-25 toprovide one-on-one demonstrations on the proper use of personal protective equipment tothe essential workers of the backstretch at Saratoga Race Course The demonstrationswill re-emphasize the continued best practices that have been in place at the racetracksince early March Each worker in attendance will receive a PPE kit including a mask withfiltering respirator gloves and hand sanitizer The project was made possible with thehelp of a grant from the Hispanics in Philanthropy Essential Fund

PPE has been supplied free of charge to the horsemen and the workers since the start ofthe pandemic The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and New York ThoroughbredHorsemens Assocation (NYTHA) teamed up earlier this month to distribute 25000 masksat Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park bringing the total number of masks andgloves donated to the backstretch community to more than 200000

This initiative is the most recent in the ongoing effort to protect the workers from Covid-19

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8222020 Proper PPE Use A Priority on the Saratoga Backstretch

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BEST has been working with the NYRANYTHA and the New York division of the RaceTrack Chaplaincy of America since early Marchto address the issues created by the pandemicThe organizations formed a Task Force Mar 10and created the ldquoCoronavirus Preparednessand Response Planrdquo developing policiesregarding testing medical care quarantine andthe mandatory use of PPE as well as setting

up a communication network with the horsemen and the workers and organizingdistribution of PPE medical supplies food and clothing for those in need

ldquoSince the start we have been working hard to make sure the workers have everythingthey need and this is an ongoing and collective effortrdquo BEST Executive Director PaulRuchames said ldquoWe are thrilled that as of today we have no active positives in ourbackstretch community But we will continue to be vigilant A key component in keepingthe backstretch workers safe is education NENY-COSH will review the facts about PPEwith our workers ndash how to wear it how to store when to discard itrdquo

The Task Force expanded its Plan and exceeded New York State requirements whenSaratoga Race Course opened in July mandating that everyone working at the upstatetrack produce a negative Covid-19 test before being allowed on the grounds This policyincludes jockeys valets NYRA employees trainers and their staff outside vendors andmedia As is the policy at Belmont Park everyone licensed and approved to be on theproperty are required to wear a mask practice social distancing and submit to a dailytemperature check

Signs in English and Spanish are posted across the backstretch as a daily reminder tofollow these protocols and there is a hotline to call should anyone have concerns aboutCovid-19

As a result of this diligence there are currently zero positive cases of Covid-19 atSaratoga Race Course and downstate at Belmont Park

ldquoNYTHA is committed to improving the lives of the workforce on the backstretch and ourmission has never been more focused than during the fight against Covid-19rdquo NYTHAPresident Joe Appelbaum said ldquoWe want to thank NENY-COSH for providing this valuableservice to the workers and the Gaming Commission NYRA BEST and the Chaplaincyfor their collaboration during difficult times We are proud of the hard work and dedicationthat have gone into this effort and of our horsemen and workers for their willingness tocooperate and complyrdquo

Added Ruchames ldquoThanks to the partnership with NYRA and NYTHA and the guidance ofthe New York State Gaming Commission and the Governorrsquos Office we have been able tocontain Covid-19 at our racetracks But we cannot let our guard downrdquo

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