Several nurses at Kaiser-Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center said Monday, March 23, that their hospital is underprepared to protect front-line workers. In response, Kaiser-Permanent officials said their top priority is patients and staff members.

The nurses said they are beset by short staffing, lack of personal protective equipment and inadequate education and communication from their employer.

“Ignoring us is not the answer,” said neo-natal nurse Allesha Jeffries, in a morning rally outside the hospital with several nurses — practicing the 6-feet-apart social distancing rule as they stood with masks on, clad in their medical “scrubs.”

Kaiser officials responded: “We understand the concerns and challenges we face during this most unprecedented time, but it’s important to know we are providing our staff with the personal protective equipment that is aligned with the latest science and guidance from public health authorities,” according to a statement from Terry Kanakri, spokesman for Kaiser’s Southern California region, which encompasses 15 hospital sites.

“These are the same supplies and equipment that are also being used by hospital systems in California and across the nation,” the statement said. “It is paramount that our caregivers have the right level of protective equipment, and we are committed to ensuring they do – now and over the course of this pandemic.”

Kanakri pointed to Kaiser-Permanente’s experienced management of highly infectious disease, with care teams receiving training to screen and treat patients.

Jeffries, however, said many of the hosptitals’ staffers have not been fitted for N-95 face masks, and she lamented Centers for Disease Control’s easing of standards on N-95 respirators to allow simple surgical masks.

On Monday morning, all she had on was a “Superman” bandana. “This bandana will do nothing. And I repeat: Nothing, to protect me in my workplace,” she said, as she stood with several other nurses.

Nurses protest in front of the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Los Angeles Monday March 23, 2020. The nurses say they have not received enough masks and protective equipment to deal with the current coronavirus pandemic and that they are putting their lives and the lives of their families at risk. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Nurses protest in front of the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Los Angeles Monday March 23, 2020. The nurses say they have not received enough masks and protective equipment to deal with the current coronavirus pandemic and that they are putting their lives and the lives of their families at risk. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Nurses space themselves six feet apart as they protest in front of the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Los Angeles Monday March 23, 2020. The nurses say they have not received enough masks and protective equipment to deal with the current coronavirus pandemic and that they are putting their lives and the lives of their families at risk. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Nurses protest in front of the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Los Angeles Monday March 23, 2020. The nurses say they have not received enough masks and protective equipment to deal with the current coronavirus pandemic and that they are putting their lives and the lives of their families at risk. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Nurses protest in front of the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Los Angeles Monday March 23, 2020. The nurses say they have not received enough masks and protective equipment to deal with the current coronavirus pandemic and that they are putting their lives and the lives of their families at risk. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)



A fully protected member of the medical staff walks past protesting nurses in front of the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Los Angeles Monday March 23, 2020. The nurses say they have not received enough masks and protective equipment to deal with the current coronavirus pandemic and that they are putting their lives and the lives of their families at risk. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The nurses’ concerns reflect a broad problem as the region confronts a pandemic that has led to 409 cases in L.A. County and five deaths. Frontline care workers in many places have called out for more support and preparedness as strapped medical hubs move to meet a surge in demand, which is expected to increase.