The Oregon Department of Corrections Amid Covid-19 (Part Two)
Are asymptomatic infections walking out the doors of correctional facilities every day?
BY MICHAEL D. KELL
PART ONE (3/26)
PART TWO (4/15)
PART THREE (4/23)
PART FOUR (5/13)
PART FIVE (5/14)
PART SIX (5/26)
PART SEVEN (8/14)
PART EIGHT (9/29)
MEMBERS OF THE federal COVID-19 task force stated in their briefing on April 3rd that “18,000” of the Abbott test devices were “pushed out” to the general public. This Abbott device is the high-speed (5 min.—15 min.) blood test we have all heard about.
Senior healthcare advisors in the US government have unequivocally stated that these devices, when deployed properly, will provide the data necessary to develop correlations relative to asymptomatic infection as well as mortality. These correlations will give our healthcare specialists the ability to better control the rate of transmission as well as deploy the equipment key to minimizing the mortality rate.
As I stated in my original article (“ODOC Amid Covid-19”), the heightened risks associated with high-density populations during infectious disease events is inarguable. Oregon state law mandates that the inmates of its various correctional facilities be provided healthcare commensurate and equivalent to that provided the general public. The Oregon Emergency Management team assembled by our governor consists of some of the highest-ranking and most skilled healthcare professionals in the region.
These professionals are well aware that all professionals working in high-risk environs should be utilizing filtered respirator grade (N95) equipment. Whether it be due to lack of proper management, or to unavailability, the correctional employees of our state are not using filtered respirator grade equipment. Given the sheer statistics available, it is apparent that a significant rate of asymptomatic infection is walking out the doors of our correctional facilities each day.
The professionals of the OEM team are also well aware of the increased need for surveillance testing of the high-density populations in our correctional facilities. Although some may fault Governor Brown for loaning our (140) ventilators to the state of New York, I believe it was the right thing to do. Governor Cuomo seems quite sincere in saying that his state will be there to help out when the time comes for other states to deal with the severe conditions this pandemic will present to them. And let there be no mistake, that time will come! This is no time to drop our guard. We must stay on top of, and in front of, this very serious situation.
That means doing the right thing and following all prudent suggestions.
We are already starting to see flare infection events in correctional facilities around the nation. This is occurring in the federal system right now. The Abbott test devices are now here and available. High-density populations in our state should (for the aforementioned reasons) be given high priority on these devices for surveillance testing. All members of the OEM team should be made aware of their professional, moral, and legal obligations to these populations.
Michael D. Kell is an inmate at Oregon State Penitentiary.
