By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
A senior TSA official in Kansas filed a complaint against the agency, saying it failed to provide adequate training and protective gear to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus to airport employees and travelers.
The TSA reports that 706 of its employees tested positive for COVID-19, and five have died.
Jay Brainard, the top TSA official in Kansas, said supervisors were prevented from providing screeners with stockpiled N95 masks in March, when it was difficult to buy the respirators.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that our people became Typhoid Marys and contributed to the spread of that virus because TSA senior leadership did not make sure (screeners) were adequately protected,” Brainard told The Associated Press.
Brainard’s complaint prompted the Office of Special Counsel to order Homeland Security to investigate.
In a statement, the TSA insisted if followed CDC guidelines in protecting employees.
Brainard countered that the TSA failed to notify screeners that they should change gloves after every pat-down.
