One of the most dangerous scenarios to possibly happen in New York state regarding the global coronavirus pandemic has come to pass. The first inmate in Rikers Island prison has tested positive for COVID-19 has been identified, shortly after a correction officer was diagnosed with the disease.
On Wednesday, the first city Department of Correction officer to be
confirmed to have the virus. He worked as the front gate security at Rikers.
The head of the corrections officers’ union saw that having two cases being infected within 24 hours is a horrible sign — one that points to a surefire outbreak on the horizon.
According to the New York Post, Elias Husamudeen, the president of the
Correction Officers Benevolent Association, wants the state to hurry up and “implement
their contingency plans” after the inmate tested positive.
He further stated, “This crisis will grow worse with each passing day. Give
us the help we need now!”
Husamudeen wants the government to purchase new face masks for COs to more efficiently shield them from the spread of the violence. Another plan that is proposed is for new inmates to the jail to be separated from the main population.
