Dear COBA Members:

As you are all aware, COVID-19 infection rates have been steadily increasing as a second wave of the virus is sweeping across the country. Over 700 new cases of the disease were reported in Nassau County alone in just one day this week and hospitalizations have also been increasing daily. Thankfully better treatments have been formulated over the last many months for this potentially deadly disease. There has also been a lot of positive reporting on vaccines that appear to be on the horizon.

Even with the news of what we hope to be better days ahead, we must remain extremely vigilant. This disease is still very dangerous, especially to those who have underlying medical conditions. It also affects different people in different ways. Medical experts still cannot account for why this virus can be so deadly to one person yet be relatively mild to another or even why an infected person might show no symptoms at all.

We have been very fortunate in our Dept in that we have not had many (if any) cases of COVID in the last couple of months as the virus waned during the summer. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. This past week 4 of our Officers tested positive for the Virus in just one day. These Officers work in different units and on different shifts with no immediately identifiable connection to each other's infections. Thankfully these appear to be relatively mild cases so far and we wish them swift recoveries.

We have also been advised that positive tests have been popping up in almost every Dept in the County.

With this resurgence of the virus, I will once again be sending you routine updates on what this second wave of the virus means for us in Corrections.

I ask that you please take this new wave of the virus very seriously and do all you can to protect yourselves, your partners and most importantly your families.

Today it was reported to COBA by several members they have not been made aware of measures that are being taken by our Dept to provide as controlled an environment as possible to keep our members safe and healthy during the resurgence of this pandemic. This is very frustrating since we have been in constant discussion with the Administration and know that numerous measures have been taken in just the last few days in an effort to prevent the reintroduction of the virus into our facilities. These measures were disseminated via directives and emails down through the Chain of Command, yet it appears that numerous members (for lack of a better phrase) "didn't get the memo". To make sure that all are aware of these measures I will list them here, pending further initiatives or revisions that I will repeat via COBA Alerts also.

On Nov 13th a COVID-19 memo was issued to all staff by the Sheriff outlining the Depts response to new State policies regarding the virus, and also that the NYS Courts have modified their protocols related to trials.

It also explained new plans to expand the cleaning and disinfection of our facility, equipment and vehicles. All staff were also directed to contact their supervisors for supplies of masks and disinfection materials and the mask mandate was reiterated for all staff while on duty.

On Saturday Nov 14th a directive was issued by the Sheriff and Undersheriff via email down through the Chain of Command stating the intention of the Dept to re-implement COVID-19 protocols that were proven effective during the initial outbreak of the pandemic.‍

These protocols include the following:
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1.) Effective 11/15 all congregate inmate services were suspended.

2.) Inmates will remain in their housing areas, not continuously confined but allowed out in lesser groups to best provide distancing.

3.) Rec was initially suspended pending review and the issuance of new Rec schedules that were developed in a Modified Rec Schedule and sent out on Nov 16th.

4.) Inmate Religious Services were suspended.

5.) Inmate Visitation was suspended until further notice to prevent visitors from bringing the virus into the facility.

6.) Law Library issues will be conducted cell side to prevent unnecessary travel of inmates throughout the facility.

7.) Non-emergency medical issues will also be conducted cell side for the same reason.

COBA is in agreement with these measures particularly since 4 of our staff members tested positive this past week. We want all proper measures taken that will best provide for as safe a working environment as possible.

One last issue for this email is the Sewage Grinder (Muffin Monsters) issue that we notified you all about in a previous email related to the allocation of funds for this project.

The fact that the grinders in the 832 bldg are not working properly created the necessity to open all of B-Bldg. This causes a social distancing issue since B Bldg is not as spread out as the 832 and we don't have as many available housing units. The Grinders are currently being built and each will be installed as they are completed, hopefully beginning within a couple of weeks.

Once these are installed it will allow for the opening of Housing Areas in the 832 which will then allow for greater social distancing of inmates.

We will continue to provide information as soon as possible related to testing, administrative leave and other issues that will all be on the front line again due to the resurgence of COVID-19. For now, be safe and take all precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.

In Unity;

Brian Sullivan, COBA President

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