Dear COBA Members;

Updating a few more issues.

Regarding the Global Issue:  

The Dept of Health Guidelines were changed regarding the isolation period for essential staff after exposure to COVID-19. The initial period was self isolation for 14 days. That has been reduced by the CDC and the DOH to 7 days. This is because the DOH has determined that Correction Officers are as essential to the Correctional Center's operations as Health Care Personnel are to their respective facilities.      

As such, this is what the Nassau DOH has directed as per the CDC equating Healthcare Personnel to all Essential Services including Corrections and the Police for exposure (including asymptomatic).      

"Return to Work Criteria for HealthCare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 exposure:

Use one of the below strategies to determine when HealthCare Personnel (HCP) may return to work in healthcare settings:

Test-based strategy. Exclude from work until:

Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and

Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and

Negative results of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized molecular assay for COVID-19 from at least two consecutive nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected ≥24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens)[1]. See Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

or;

Non-test-based strategy. Exclude from work until

At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and,

At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

In house Issues:  

1.) As per the Sheriff, medical personnel are to report to the cell of any inmate who is complaining of sickness or showing signs of the flu. Such inmates are not to be escorted to medical or travel anywhere in the facility unless medically cleared or for emergency transport. All other inmates may be sent to the Medical Unit if Medical staff deems it permissible and the inmate is not showing any symptoms of illness.  

2.) While things are not perfect by any means regarding PPE's, masks, and sanitizers, we have taken much corrective action with regard to the flow of equipment from OEM. Two Supervisors have been assigned full time to OEM to ensure that our facility is not short changed on supplies. Unfortunately, there is a nationwide shortage of much equipment, due to the mad rush to obtain them at the onset of this crisis. COBA has worked closely with the Dept, County and the PD since Police Commissioner Ryder was put in charge of OEM after a less than stellar response from OEM at the onset of this crisis. One of the main reasons for a slow initial response were unclear guidelines from OEM on how tomorder supplies from the State as well as how to replenish them. This has all been rectified and the requested materials have been flowing.  

3.) Masks: One piece of protective equipment that is in short supply nationally are face masks. The Dept has issued a Directive that should have been disseminated through the Chain of Command today which reads:

"In order to preserve our supply, so that we don't run out, please instruct your subordinate staff to review the video posted on the Department Intranet." The Dept has also developed a simplified form for requesting a replacement mask to be used by all staff. This must be done as part of the new OEM re-ordering process, because the State demands to know how much each area is using. This is referred to as the "Burn Rate".

The most important thing to remember with regard to the usage of masks, is that any inmates or persons showing symptoms are first and foremost the individuals who SHOULD be wearing the masks. If you are not symptomatic, as per the CDC you do not need to wear a mask. If you are involved in directly escorting an inmate who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, that is when you should be wearing the mask.  

**Correction from Previous Email:

The Dept updated the total number of Officers who were initially identified as being directly exposed to the inmate who is now housed in NUMC after my email was sent to you. The correct number is 23 not 17. Under the new CDC and DOH Guidelines, those Officers have been released from home isolation and directed to return to work.

Again, I must stress that any questions or concerns pertaining to this crisis, should first be addressed with your Supervisors. If the issues are not resolved then contact a union representative. Social media is not the arena to discuss essential service operational issues.  

Stay safe;

Brian Sullivan, COBA President