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Jailed on a Minor Parole Violation, He Caught the Virus and Died Jailed on a Minor Parole Violation, He Caught the Virus and Died
(about 2 months later)
Last summer, Raymond Rivera was arrested on a minor parole violation and sent to Rikers Island, where he waited months for a final decision on his release. As his case dragged on, the coronavirus spread through the jail complex and he became sick.Last summer, Raymond Rivera was arrested on a minor parole violation and sent to Rikers Island, where he waited months for a final decision on his release. As his case dragged on, the coronavirus spread through the jail complex and he became sick.
On Friday, state parole officials finally lifted the warrant against Mr. Rivera as he lay in a bed at the Bellevue Hospital Center. He died the next day.On Friday, state parole officials finally lifted the warrant against Mr. Rivera as he lay in a bed at the Bellevue Hospital Center. He died the next day.
“It was a tragedy the way it happened,” said Mr. Rivera’s wife, who asked not to be named to protect her privacy. “Why did he have to wait so long?”“It was a tragedy the way it happened,” said Mr. Rivera’s wife, who asked not to be named to protect her privacy. “Why did he have to wait so long?”
Nearly two weeks ago, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo promised to release about 400 people who were on Rikers Island for minor parole violations as part of an effort to reduce the impact of the coronavirus in the city’s crowded jail complex.Nearly two weeks ago, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo promised to release about 400 people who were on Rikers Island for minor parole violations as part of an effort to reduce the impact of the coronavirus in the city’s crowded jail complex.
“We’re releasing people who are in jails because they violated parole for nonserious reasons,” Mr. Cuomo said in a television interview on March 27. “And wherever we can get people out of jails, out of prisons, now we are.”“We’re releasing people who are in jails because they violated parole for nonserious reasons,” Mr. Cuomo said in a television interview on March 27. “And wherever we can get people out of jails, out of prisons, now we are.”
But carrying out that order has proved difficult, defense lawyers say. The state parole system has largely ground to a halt because of the pandemic, leaving hundreds of people in limbo, including those like Mr. Rivera who were detained on technical violations. So far 195 parole violators have been released from New York City jails, city officials say.But carrying out that order has proved difficult, defense lawyers say. The state parole system has largely ground to a halt because of the pandemic, leaving hundreds of people in limbo, including those like Mr. Rivera who were detained on technical violations. So far 195 parole violators have been released from New York City jails, city officials say.
Aides to Governor Cuomo dispute that number and defend their efforts, saying the state has been moving as expeditiously as possible to release people who pose little danger to the public but who are at a high risk of dying from the virus — mostly older inmates with underlying medical problems.Aides to Governor Cuomo dispute that number and defend their efforts, saying the state has been moving as expeditiously as possible to release people who pose little danger to the public but who are at a high risk of dying from the virus — mostly older inmates with underlying medical problems.
On Tuesday, the governor’s top aide, Melissa DeRosa, said about 700 parole violators who were deemed to be a “low-risk to public safety” had been released across the state, including about 240 from Rikers Island.On Tuesday, the governor’s top aide, Melissa DeRosa, said about 700 parole violators who were deemed to be a “low-risk to public safety” had been released across the state, including about 240 from Rikers Island.
Still, public defenders and civil liberties groups say too many people arrested on technical parole violations — like breaking curfew or missing an appointment — are still in city jails waiting for a hearing.Still, public defenders and civil liberties groups say too many people arrested on technical parole violations — like breaking curfew or missing an appointment — are still in city jails waiting for a hearing.
Mr. Rivera and one other inmate, Michael Tyson, a repeat offender who was also sent to jail on a minor parole violation, became the first two people to die after being detained for months at the jail complex during the current pandemic, which has sickened hundreds of people there.Mr. Rivera and one other inmate, Michael Tyson, a repeat offender who was also sent to jail on a minor parole violation, became the first two people to die after being detained for months at the jail complex during the current pandemic, which has sickened hundreds of people there.
In the month since the virus was first detected in the city’s jails, the situation has worsened. By Wednesday, 288 inmates, 488 correction staff and 78 health care workers had tested positive for the virus. Seven jail employees had died, and 11 percent of the city’s 11,500 correction officers had self-quarantined.In the month since the virus was first detected in the city’s jails, the situation has worsened. By Wednesday, 288 inmates, 488 correction staff and 78 health care workers had tested positive for the virus. Seven jail employees had died, and 11 percent of the city’s 11,500 correction officers had self-quarantined.
At Rikers Island, parole hearings have, for the most part, been suspended as the rate of coronavirus infections continued to climb, forcing officials to quarantine 59 percent of the city’s jail population.At Rikers Island, parole hearings have, for the most part, been suspended as the rate of coronavirus infections continued to climb, forcing officials to quarantine 59 percent of the city’s jail population.
A judicial center at Rikers where parole revocation hearings were held was shuttered after a senior parole officer contracted the virus last month. The cases being heard now — via telephone conference without the parolee present — are limited to some preliminary hearings and those in which state officials have agreed to release the person. But because hearings were on hold, people have been arrested and held on Rikers without lawyers, who are assigned to represent them at the first hearing, knowing that they were there.A judicial center at Rikers where parole revocation hearings were held was shuttered after a senior parole officer contracted the virus last month. The cases being heard now — via telephone conference without the parolee present — are limited to some preliminary hearings and those in which state officials have agreed to release the person. But because hearings were on hold, people have been arrested and held on Rikers without lawyers, who are assigned to represent them at the first hearing, knowing that they were there.
“Every day that they wait to release people is life-threatening at this point,” said Lorraine McEvilley, director of the Parole Revocation Defense Unit at the Legal Aid Society. “Every day matters.”“Every day that they wait to release people is life-threatening at this point,” said Lorraine McEvilley, director of the Parole Revocation Defense Unit at the Legal Aid Society. “Every day matters.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio has been working with prosecutors, public defenders, the police and courts to secure the release of vulnerable people awaiting trial for nonviolent crimes or who have served most of their jail sentences. To date, more than 1,500 people have been released from city jails, including those serving a year or less, inmates held on minor crimes and those who are older and have underlying conditions.Mayor Bill de Blasio has been working with prosecutors, public defenders, the police and courts to secure the release of vulnerable people awaiting trial for nonviolent crimes or who have served most of their jail sentences. To date, more than 1,500 people have been released from city jails, including those serving a year or less, inmates held on minor crimes and those who are older and have underlying conditions.
State parole officials have, so far, lifted warrants on 242 people detained in city jails for minor, or “technical,” violations, like breaking curfew or missing an appointment, said Colby Hamilton, spokesman for the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. There are still 476 technical parole violators in city jails, he said.State parole officials have, so far, lifted warrants on 242 people detained in city jails for minor, or “technical,” violations, like breaking curfew or missing an appointment, said Colby Hamilton, spokesman for the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. There are still 476 technical parole violators in city jails, he said.
“We look forward to receiving from the state as soon as possible the balance of the people who they will consent to release during the remainder of the pandemic,” Mr. Hamilton said.“We look forward to receiving from the state as soon as possible the balance of the people who they will consent to release during the remainder of the pandemic,” Mr. Hamilton said.
Mr. Rivera, 55, was convicted on burglary charges in 2014 after he walked into a garage in Queens and took a motorcycle cover. He had also stolen bicycles from another address, according to his parole report. He served over four years in state prison and was placed on parole.Mr. Rivera, 55, was convicted on burglary charges in 2014 after he walked into a garage in Queens and took a motorcycle cover. He had also stolen bicycles from another address, according to his parole report. He served over four years in state prison and was placed on parole.
Last summer, Mr. Rivera, who had long struggled with heroin addiction, was arrested with another person at a Family Dollar Store on shoplifting charges, which he denied. A parole officer ordered him into a residential drug treatment program, but he left the facility and did not report to his parole officer.Last summer, Mr. Rivera, who had long struggled with heroin addiction, was arrested with another person at a Family Dollar Store on shoplifting charges, which he denied. A parole officer ordered him into a residential drug treatment program, but he left the facility and did not report to his parole officer.
On Aug. 19, parole officers showed up to the family’s home in Queens and arrested him, taking him to Rikers Island, said his son, also named Raymond Rivera.On Aug. 19, parole officers showed up to the family’s home in Queens and arrested him, taking him to Rikers Island, said his son, also named Raymond Rivera.
Updated May 28, 2020
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe should be sufficient grounds for testing.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
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.
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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
Mr. Rivera’s case was delayed. He had to change lawyers because of a conflict of interest with a co-defendant, and then waited months. Six weeks ago, an administrative judge decided to release him.Mr. Rivera’s case was delayed. He had to change lawyers because of a conflict of interest with a co-defendant, and then waited months. Six weeks ago, an administrative judge decided to release him.
After that hearing, Mr. Rivera should have been freed in five days, public defenders said, but it took six weeks. The Department of Correction and Community Supervision said the circumstances surrounding his case are under investigation.After that hearing, Mr. Rivera should have been freed in five days, public defenders said, but it took six weeks. The Department of Correction and Community Supervision said the circumstances surrounding his case are under investigation.
Mr. Rivera became ill and fainted in jail. He was sent to the prison ward on the 19th floor of the Bellevue Hospital Center, where he not only tested positive for the coronavirus, but doctors discovered he had cancer. Though an administrative judge had said he could be paroled, a correction officer stood outside of his room.Mr. Rivera became ill and fainted in jail. He was sent to the prison ward on the 19th floor of the Bellevue Hospital Center, where he not only tested positive for the coronavirus, but doctors discovered he had cancer. Though an administrative judge had said he could be paroled, a correction officer stood outside of his room.
“He’s supposed to be a free man,” his son said.“He’s supposed to be a free man,” his son said.
On April 3, state parole officials lifted the warrant against Mr. Rivera, releasing him from custody. That meant Mr. Rivera was moved out of the prison ward to a hospital room three floors down, where he died hours later. “Somebody messed up somewhere,” said his son.On April 3, state parole officials lifted the warrant against Mr. Rivera, releasing him from custody. That meant Mr. Rivera was moved out of the prison ward to a hospital room three floors down, where he died hours later. “Somebody messed up somewhere,” said his son.
“He needed to be home,” Mr. Rivera’s wife said.“He needed to be home,” Mr. Rivera’s wife said.
A day later, Michael Tyson, 53, who had been held on Rikers Island since Feb. 27 after he failed to report to his parole officer, also died at Bellevue Hospital Center following complications from Covid-19. His sister, April Wade, said he had heart surgery and was coping with diabetes and high blood pressure.A day later, Michael Tyson, 53, who had been held on Rikers Island since Feb. 27 after he failed to report to his parole officer, also died at Bellevue Hospital Center following complications from Covid-19. His sister, April Wade, said he had heart surgery and was coping with diabetes and high blood pressure.
In his case, state officials said they would not have supported release. He had done seven stints in state prison for convictions that included attempted rape and attempted robbery.In his case, state officials said they would not have supported release. He had done seven stints in state prison for convictions that included attempted rape and attempted robbery.
Still, he never had a chance to make his case before a judge, public defenders said. He had a parole revocation hearing scheduled for April 20 but was hospitalized on March 26.Still, he never had a chance to make his case before a judge, public defenders said. He had a parole revocation hearing scheduled for April 20 but was hospitalized on March 26.
Ms. McEvilley said Mr. Tyson’s lawyers did not know he was at the jail. They only learned about his case after he was taken to the hospital. “This was at the height when the pandemic was really hitting,” Ms. McEvilley said. “This is the black hole that people are sent into.”Ms. McEvilley said Mr. Tyson’s lawyers did not know he was at the jail. They only learned about his case after he was taken to the hospital. “This was at the height when the pandemic was really hitting,” Ms. McEvilley said. “This is the black hole that people are sent into.”
Jesse McKinley contributed reporting.Jesse McKinley contributed reporting.