This article originally appeared in the Merced Sun-Star on April 17, 2020. It was written by Abbie Lauten-Scrivner.

Merced County Supervisor Scott Silveira apologized this week for comments suggesting county social workers may want to “rethink” their line of work after they raised coronavirus-related safety concerns in the workplace.

“You signed up for this,” Silveira said during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. “You chose to come to work for the county.”

Two days later, Silveira apologized Thursday, saying he was sorry the comments caused hurt feelings. “I am sorry my words seemed harsh,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

He also posted a second apology Friday that included an announcement saying the workers’ requests were to be addressed with new policy changes.

Two days later, Silveira apologized Thursday, saying he was sorry the comments caused hurt feelings. “I am sorry my words seemed harsh,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

He also posted a second apology Friday that included an announcement saying the workers’ requests were to be addressed with new policy changes.

A YouTube video posted Wednesday spliced together the social workers’ comments and Silveira’s response. As of Friday, it has 6,000 views and several comments criticizing Silveira.

The local labor union chapter representing the workers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), posted the video to their Facebook page Wednesday. The union said its working on a response, and called for individuals to share the video.

Silveira told the Sun-Star it wasn’t his intention to single out social workers or diminish their job. He acknowledged that he could have used different words.

“It’s not lost on me that when you hear it back, it comes across as harsh,” he said. “That’s not what I intended.”

Silveira said it wasn’t the social workers’ statements that elicited his response, but more of a broader frustration.

“It came across that I didn’t care about these people or their safety, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said. “I would hope that you judge me on the body of my work and not just one moment,” he added.

Silveira said the video’s editing is unfair, as it portrayed his statements made hours after the social workers’ comment as a direct response. It also cut most of his comments thanking staff for their hard work, he noted.

SOCIAL WORKERS SAY APOLOGY ISN’T ENOUGH

Following Silveira’s comments Tuesday, county social workers reached out to the Sun-Star. They asked to remain anonymous out of concerns of workplace retaliation.

The social worker behind Tuesday’s second anonymous statement said Silveira’s apology wasn’t enough, saying he failed to listen.

“It’s not an apology, not at all,” she said. “Its just an ‘I’m sorry you took it that way’.”

Several social workers said Silveira’s words did not seem like a real apology.

Social workers said they wanted Tuesday’s anonymous comments to trigger change. But the response they got, “Felt like a shot in the gut,” one said.

“Why did no other supervisor speak up or say anything?” another wondered.

Furthermore, they said separating staff with staggered shifts or allowing remote work is in the best interest of protecting both workers and vulnerable county residents during the pandemic.

“If you don’t have a healthy work staff to help the people, then you’re not really helping the people,” a social worker said.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Silveira announced Friday that social workers’ requests were heard.

“Where appropriate, HSA (Human Service Agency) staff will begin working remotely, today,” he said.

The plans have been in the works since March 30, and required extensive coordination to protect client confidentiality, said Merced County Public Information Officer Mike North.

North said some HSA employees will still need to come into the office, but those able to work remotely will be accommodated. He said he did not know what percentage of employees will be able to work remotely.

County officials said that decision is ultimately up to Human Services Agency Director Yvonnia Brown.

She did not respond to requests for comment Thursday or Friday.

Prior to Friday, social workers said they were told the county has no approved work at home option for them. The Sun-Star spoke to seven social workers for this story, all of whom asked to remain anonymous.

Some social workers say they are already using video platforms to do home visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. But they are doing so in the office alongside coworkers, rather than inside their own homes.

Under normal conditions, they are required to be on-call while home, or work remotely during long days at the courthouse.

“I have the full ability to work from home, starting tomorrow,” one social worker said. “I have everything that I need.”

Silveira announced Friday that social workers’ requests were heard.

“Where appropriate, HSA (Human Service Agency) staff will begin working remotely, today,” he said.

The plans have been in the works since March 30, and required extensive coordination to protect client confidentiality, said Merced County Public Information Officer Mike North.

North said some HSA employees will still need to come into the office, but those able to work remotely will be accommodated. He said he did not know what percentage of employees will be able to work remotely.

County officials said that decision is ultimately up to Human Services Agency Director Yvonnia Brown.

She did not respond to requests for comment Thursday or Friday.

Prior to Friday, social workers said they were told the county has no approved work at home option for them. The Sun-Star spoke to seven social workers for this story, all of whom asked to remain anonymous.

Some social workers say they are already using video platforms to do home visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. But they are doing so in the office alongside coworkers, rather than inside their own homes.

Under normal conditions, they are required to be on-call while home, or work remotely during long days at the courthouse.

“I have the full ability to work from home, starting tomorrow,” one social worker said. “I have everything that I need.”

Social workers who are still required to enter homes said they were fitted for N95 masks for the first time late last week.

Each was given one mask to reuse, and were told to conserve it on account of shortages. N95s are designed for eight hours of consistent or intermittent use, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Others with preexisting conditions sought doctors’ notes to work from home. In some cases, these were denied, three social workers told the Sun-Star. They were told that doctors don’t have the legal authority to advise them how to do their jobs.

“We generally have accommodated employees on a case by case basis,” said North, noting that staff with safety concerns are encouraged to work directly with their supervisors and Human Resources.

North said he could not comment on specific cases involving doctors’ notes.

Although he could use accrued time off, one social worker said that ethically, he would not. “We’re here because we care about our families . . . not just our families at home, but the ones we work with,” he said. “We want to do our jobs.”

“It’s really disheartening,” a social worker said. “It really makes me want to rethink my future here at Merced County.”