Prisoners, field workers and college students - Printable Version
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Prisoners, field workers and college students - needle - 04-21-2020
Likely most on this board are aware of large outbreaks of covid-19 in various prisons in the U.S.:
Quote:As of Monday afternoon, more than 450 of Neuse’s roughly 770 inmates — about 60 percent of the prison’s population — had tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Wayne County Health Department.
...
State officials say the overwhelming majority of the infected inmates at Neuse are not currently showing symptoms
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article242133306.html
I would also point out that some group housing for ag workers has also had an outbreak:
Quote:“What these test results tell us is that asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are so common that these measures are not sufficient in these settings even when implemented well,” Chelan-Douglas Health District Administrator Barry Kling said in the Stemilt release. “That means we need to think differently. Social distancing measures should be maintained at farmworker sites and housing, but we also need to greatly increase testing of workers so that isolation and quarantine can be used when needed, and uninfected workers can continue to work.”
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/coronavirus/36-asymptomatic-stemilt-employees-test-positive-for-covid-19/article_4f0e7e54-840a-11ea-a88c-5f1045c97810.html
What we have not seen, that I'm aware of, is whether any college dormitories have had similar outbreaks, probably because most schools shut down their dorms pretty quickly. But, in the absence of such documented cases, I have a question:
1.) Are there any reasons to believe that college dorms would be less vulnerable/could be made less vulnerable to the types of outbreaks we have seen in multiple prisons and, as I learned today, at least some ag worker housing?
RE: Prisoners, field workers and college students - JustAnotherFan - 04-22-2020
(04-21-2020, 10:43 PM)needle Wrote: Likely most on this board are aware of large outbreaks of covid-19 in various prisons in the U.S.:
Quote:As of Monday afternoon, more than 450 of Neuse’s roughly 770 inmates — about 60 percent of the prison’s population — had tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Wayne County Health Department.
...
State officials say the overwhelming majority of the infected inmates at Neuse are not currently showing symptoms
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article242133306.html
I would also point out that some group housing for ag workers has also had an outbreak:
Quote:“What these test results tell us is that asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are so common that these measures are not sufficient in these settings even when implemented well,” Chelan-Douglas Health District Administrator Barry Kling said in the Stemilt release. “That means we need to think differently. Social distancing measures should be maintained at farmworker sites and housing, but we also need to greatly increase testing of workers so that isolation and quarantine can be used when needed, and uninfected workers can continue to work.”
https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/coronavirus/36-asymptomatic-stemilt-employees-test-positive-for-covid-19/article_4f0e7e54-840a-11ea-a88c-5f1045c97810.html
What we have not seen, that I'm aware of, is whether any college dormitories have had similar outbreaks, probably because most schools shut down their dorms pretty quickly. But, in the absence of such documented cases, I have a question:
1.) Are there any reasons to believe that college dorms would be less vulnerable/could be made less vulnerable to the types of outbreaks we have seen in multiple prisons and, as I learned today, at least some ag worker housing?
I cannot speak to the ag worker situation but with inmates ... in most jails and prisons the inmates are actively denied basic hygiene products like ... soap. In some you don't get enough soap to shower with and you need to rely on goodwill from others to plus up your commissary account or trade with other inmates in order to get the soap. Some don't allow people to regularly shower. Many of the sinks in cells are attached to the toilet and you have to constantly push a button to get a stream of water to come out (like old fashion water fountains) which makes a 20-second hand washing considerably more frustrating. If you are lucky you share a tiny cell with another person. But many have bunk beds crammed in with dozens of other bunk beds and it's impossible not to constantly be breathing in what someone else just breathed out. You also have medical care that actively discourages you from seeking treatment. The food is garbage and the stress levels are sky high. Dorms may be a problem but they are nothing like prisons and jails. If we were a society that reflected on our shortcomings we would be ashamed of the public health risk (much less the human rights failing) we have created with the carceral state.
RE: Prisoners, field workers and college students - burger - 04-22-2020
We have one data point from colleges that I know of: Liberty University. Idiot Jerry Fallwell Jr. insisted on reopening after their spring break and, almost immediately they started having cases. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/29/us/politics/coronavirus-liberty-university-falwell.html
They had to close again under state order shortly after that.
Colleges seem like a perfect place for the virus to spread. Many people in close proximity, sharing bathrooms, etc. Plus young people seem to get milder symptoms, so they may be less likely to seek testing or medical help.
As for ag workers, prisoners, etc., in CA at least, Gov. Newsom just announced expanded testing and surveillance in communal living situations like homeless shelters: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/virus-cluster-la-shelter-governor-calls-tests-70275541
Quote:Homeless residents who are asymptomatic would qualify for tests under new protocols announced Tuesday by state[url=https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/Obamacare][/url] health officials. California will broaden guidelines for who gets tested by including people who live or work in high-risk settings like shelters, the Department of Health said. Previously only those hospitalized or showing symptoms got tested.
Hopefully that testing would also include ag worker housing, prisons, etc., though I couldn't find the details.