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| ‘A Storm Is Coming’: Fears of an Inmate Epidemic as the Virus Spreads in the Jails | ‘A Storm Is Coming’: Fears of an Inmate Epidemic as the Virus Spreads in the Jails |
| (1 day later) | |
| It started with a jails investigator in an office three miles from Rikers Island. Then, a correction officer at a security checkpoint near the entrance to the jail complex got it. Hours later, it was an inmate in a crowded housing unit. | It started with a jails investigator in an office three miles from Rikers Island. Then, a correction officer at a security checkpoint near the entrance to the jail complex got it. Hours later, it was an inmate in a crowded housing unit. |
| Within days, the investigator had died and three more correction officers and two other staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus, confirming fears that the highly contagious disease had arrived in the nation’s second-largest jail system, endangering 5,300 inmates and twice as many guards.On Thursday, the jail system’s chief physician, Ross MacDonald, took to Twitter with a warning: “A storm is coming.” | Within days, the investigator had died and three more correction officers and two other staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus, confirming fears that the highly contagious disease had arrived in the nation’s second-largest jail system, endangering 5,300 inmates and twice as many guards.On Thursday, the jail system’s chief physician, Ross MacDonald, took to Twitter with a warning: “A storm is coming.” |
| He was part of a growing chorus of public defenders and officials in New York City, led by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who have been pushing for the state courts and the city’s district attorneys to release from city jails people who are especially vulnerable to the virus. | He was part of a growing chorus of public defenders and officials in New York City, led by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who have been pushing for the state courts and the city’s district attorneys to release from city jails people who are especially vulnerable to the virus. |
| The alternative, they have said, may be a public health catastrophe. | The alternative, they have said, may be a public health catastrophe. |
| Similar scenarios are playing out in jails and prisons throughout the state and across the country as correction staff members and inmates have tested positive for the virus. Two correction officers in upstate New York prisons, one correction officer in Westchester and an inmate in a Nassau County jail have been found to have the disease, as have two inmates in a federal prison in California. | Similar scenarios are playing out in jails and prisons throughout the state and across the country as correction staff members and inmates have tested positive for the virus. Two correction officers in upstate New York prisons, one correction officer in Westchester and an inmate in a Nassau County jail have been found to have the disease, as have two inmates in a federal prison in California. |
| Mayor de Blasio said his administration was working with prosecutors to free elderly and infirm inmates. On Friday, the district attorneys in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx said they had consented to the release of dozens of inmates, though the final decision will be up to the courts. | Mayor de Blasio said his administration was working with prosecutors to free elderly and infirm inmates. On Friday, the district attorneys in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx said they had consented to the release of dozens of inmates, though the final decision will be up to the courts. |
| “These are unprecedented times,” the Queens district attorney, Melinda Katz, said. “We are doing this in a truncated period of time.” | “These are unprecedented times,” the Queens district attorney, Melinda Katz, said. “We are doing this in a truncated period of time.” |
| Officials in major cities in California, Florida and Pennsylvania had already taken similar steps to slow the spread of the virus. | Officials in major cities in California, Florida and Pennsylvania had already taken similar steps to slow the spread of the virus. |
| But public defenders and New York City officials said the process of setting people free had been hampered by uncertainties over who could authorize their release, concerns over public safety and worries about where to send people once they were out. | But public defenders and New York City officials said the process of setting people free had been hampered by uncertainties over who could authorize their release, concerns over public safety and worries about where to send people once they were out. |
| “For everyone’s safety, this decision cannot be rushed,” Freddi Goldstein, Mr. de Blasio’s spokeswoman, said on Thursday. “We need to determine both public health risk and public safety risk.” | “For everyone’s safety, this decision cannot be rushed,” Freddi Goldstein, Mr. de Blasio’s spokeswoman, said on Thursday. “We need to determine both public health risk and public safety risk.” |
| City officials would like to release several hundred people sent to Rikers Island for minor parole violations, near the end of their sentences or detained on low bail. | City officials would like to release several hundred people sent to Rikers Island for minor parole violations, near the end of their sentences or detained on low bail. |
| Public defenders and advocates for inmates have called for sending home all inmates with pre-existing medical conditions, those over 50 and anyone jailed for a parole violation. | Public defenders and advocates for inmates have called for sending home all inmates with pre-existing medical conditions, those over 50 and anyone jailed for a parole violation. |
| “It is a ticking time bomb,” said Justine Olderman, executive director of the Bronx Defenders. “We’re looking for bold action and leadership.” | “It is a ticking time bomb,” said Justine Olderman, executive director of the Bronx Defenders. “We’re looking for bold action and leadership.” |
| On Saturday, the Board of Correction, the city agency that serves as a watchdog over the jails, said that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases at Rikers had jumped from eight to 38 — 21 detainees, 12 jail employees and five correctional health workers. | On Saturday, the Board of Correction, the city agency that serves as a watchdog over the jails, said that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases at Rikers had jumped from eight to 38 — 21 detainees, 12 jail employees and five correctional health workers. |
| Board officials said there were also 58 inmates being monitored in the contagious disease unit up from 27 people on Tuesday. | Board officials said there were also 58 inmates being monitored in the contagious disease unit up from 27 people on Tuesday. |
| A person familiar with the matter said a previously closed jails facility had been reopened to accommodate the growing number of inmates being placed into quarantine. | A person familiar with the matter said a previously closed jails facility had been reopened to accommodate the growing number of inmates being placed into quarantine. |
| Dr. Robert Cohen, a member of the Board of Correction, said, “The most important thing we can do right now is discharge all of the people who are old and have serious medical issues — those people are likely to die from a coronavirus infection.” | Dr. Robert Cohen, a member of the Board of Correction, said, “The most important thing we can do right now is discharge all of the people who are old and have serious medical issues — those people are likely to die from a coronavirus infection.” |
| Seventeen percent of the city’s jail population is over 50, and a majority of that group has an underlying health condition, according to data provided by the city’s Department of Correction. | Seventeen percent of the city’s jail population is over 50, and a majority of that group has an underlying health condition, according to data provided by the city’s Department of Correction. |
| City corrections officials said they had begun screening all personnel entering the jail for fevers and doing medical checks of inmates going to and from court. Visiting inmates has been suspended. Arts and education programs have been cut back. | City corrections officials said they had begun screening all personnel entering the jail for fevers and doing medical checks of inmates going to and from court. Visiting inmates has been suspended. Arts and education programs have been cut back. |
| Detainees have been instructed to sleep head-to-toe, to maintain three feet of distance between them, and to not sit on each other’s beds. | Detainees have been instructed to sleep head-to-toe, to maintain three feet of distance between them, and to not sit on each other’s beds. |
| Even so, said Dr. Rachael Bedard, a geriatrician who works at the jail, it has been — and most likely will be — difficult to stem the spread of the virus in a place where people live in cramped and often unsanitary conditions. | Even so, said Dr. Rachael Bedard, a geriatrician who works at the jail, it has been — and most likely will be — difficult to stem the spread of the virus in a place where people live in cramped and often unsanitary conditions. |
| “The only meaningful public health intervention here is to depopulate the jails dramatically,” she said. | “The only meaningful public health intervention here is to depopulate the jails dramatically,” she said. |
| Rikers has an 88-bed contagious disease unit with air-controlled cells; the infected inmate is housed there now. But the unit does not have ventilators, so inmates who become severely ill will be sent to Bellevue Hospital Center. | Rikers has an 88-bed contagious disease unit with air-controlled cells; the infected inmate is housed there now. But the unit does not have ventilators, so inmates who become severely ill will be sent to Bellevue Hospital Center. |
| Corrections officials said that they had stepped up cleaning and that inmates and staff members were given sanitation wipes and general disinfectant. Guards have also been supplied with gloves and respiratory masks. | Corrections officials said that they had stepped up cleaning and that inmates and staff members were given sanitation wipes and general disinfectant. Guards have also been supplied with gloves and respiratory masks. |
| But inmates, union officials and Rikers staff members say conditions in the jail complex remain unsanitary. | But inmates, union officials and Rikers staff members say conditions in the jail complex remain unsanitary. |
| Inmates have complained to their lawyers in recent days that they did not have soap or cleaning products. One told his lawyer in a letter that his housing unit had not been cleaned in several days. | Inmates have complained to their lawyers in recent days that they did not have soap or cleaning products. One told his lawyer in a letter that his housing unit had not been cleaned in several days. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 2020 |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| He said when he arrived at the jail, he was held in a pen with dozens of others, some of whom were coughing, and described the area as “extremely dirty,” according to the Legal Aid Society, the city’s largest public defender group. | He said when he arrived at the jail, he was held in a pen with dozens of others, some of whom were coughing, and described the area as “extremely dirty,” according to the Legal Aid Society, the city’s largest public defender group. |
| Rayshad Jackson, who was released from Rikers Island on Friday, said jail officials had not informed inmates about the viral outbreak wreaking havoc globally. | Rayshad Jackson, who was released from Rikers Island on Friday, said jail officials had not informed inmates about the viral outbreak wreaking havoc globally. |
| He learned about the virus three days ago from news reports. The news caused a small riot in the jail, he said. | He learned about the virus three days ago from news reports. The news caused a small riot in the jail, he said. |
| “No one knew what this was,” said Mr. Jackson, who had been detained on a parole violation and has chronic asthma and sleep apnea. | “No one knew what this was,” said Mr. Jackson, who had been detained on a parole violation and has chronic asthma and sleep apnea. |
| One staff member, who spoke anonymously for fear of retribution from the city, said that many correction officers did not have access to hand sanitizer, masks or gloves. Many of the facilities, the staff member said, were poorly ventilated and, despite the department’s public statements, some spaces remained uncleaned for days. | One staff member, who spoke anonymously for fear of retribution from the city, said that many correction officers did not have access to hand sanitizer, masks or gloves. Many of the facilities, the staff member said, were poorly ventilated and, despite the department’s public statements, some spaces remained uncleaned for days. |
| Elias Husamudeen, the president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, said his 11,000 officers had been given only 3,000 masks. | Elias Husamudeen, the president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, said his 11,000 officers had been given only 3,000 masks. |
| Mr. Husamudeen said the department needed to segregate new inmates coming into the jail and provide more supplies. If not, he said, “the crisis will grow worse with each passing day.” | Mr. Husamudeen said the department needed to segregate new inmates coming into the jail and provide more supplies. If not, he said, “the crisis will grow worse with each passing day.” |
| State prisons face a similar problem. So far two correction officers, including one at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility and another at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility, and a civilian employee in Albany have tested positive for the virus, state prison officials said. | State prisons face a similar problem. So far two correction officers, including one at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility and another at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility, and a civilian employee in Albany have tested positive for the virus, state prison officials said. |
| Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and state prison officials have declined to share details about their plans for addressing an outbreak, citing security concerns. | Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and state prison officials have declined to share details about their plans for addressing an outbreak, citing security concerns. |
| Civilian employees in the prison system were ordered to remain home for two weeks to limit the number of people entering the prisons, and visits by friends and family have been suspended. | Civilian employees in the prison system were ordered to remain home for two weeks to limit the number of people entering the prisons, and visits by friends and family have been suspended. |
| Foster Thompson, an inmate serving time for murder at Sing Sing, said in a telephone interview this week that an inmate in a nearby cell was sneezing, hacking and complaining loudly of body aches. The next day, he said, about 40 inmates in his housing unit went to a clinic for medical attention, but were turned away. | Foster Thompson, an inmate serving time for murder at Sing Sing, said in a telephone interview this week that an inmate in a nearby cell was sneezing, hacking and complaining loudly of body aches. The next day, he said, about 40 inmates in his housing unit went to a clinic for medical attention, but were turned away. |
| Mr. Thompson said prison officials had recently canceled social and educational programs to keep inmates apart. But crowds are everywhere, he said. | Mr. Thompson said prison officials had recently canceled social and educational programs to keep inmates apart. But crowds are everywhere, he said. |
| With little else to do, hundreds of prisoners have been gathering in the yard. Eighty men at a time pack into the bathhouse showers, and with visits suspended, there are long lines for the phones. | With little else to do, hundreds of prisoners have been gathering in the yard. Eighty men at a time pack into the bathhouse showers, and with visits suspended, there are long lines for the phones. |
| “There’s no way be away from people,” Mr. Thompson said. “Everybody’s basically right on top of each other.” | “There’s no way be away from people,” Mr. Thompson said. “Everybody’s basically right on top of each other.” |
| William K. Rashbaum and Jesse McKinley contributed reporting. | William K. Rashbaum and Jesse McKinley contributed reporting. |