For the most part, Northampton County's workforce has responded to the pandemic with stoic resolve. Several examples can be cited, from an elections office that worked long hours to ensure that the county delivered its most flawless election in my memory to Gracedale workers who themselves were crippled by the virus. But the most heroic example has been the county's corrections officers. They were unhappy with the contract awarded to them as a result of binding arbitration, and at least in my opinion, deserve more money. But instead of complaining when the pandemic broke, they stepped it up. In fact, they managed to save lives in the process. Despite being hit by the virus themselves, they stopped three inmates who tried to commit suicide.
In his report to NorCo Council on July 2, Executive Lamont McClure advised that he is seeking funding so that universal testing for Covid-19 can take place at the jail. The latest CDC guidance does recommend universal testing at all congregate care facilities, including jails.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Monday, July 06, 2020
11 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
I think the correction workers, with an already tough job, deserve any support available to safely perform their duties.
ReplyDeleteCOs deserve a lot of respect for their performance. The county should look into hypochlorous acid misters for everybody in the building. Electric charged salt water creates hypochlorous acid (a virus killer naturally produced by humans) than can be safely misted on humans. It kills any trace of virus on contact and reacts with bodies/clothes as a safe, very mild salt water. They're relatively inexpensive and used in medical and research facilities already. I believe you'll start seeing "misting stations" at public buildings, eventually.
ReplyDeleteBoth the safety and effectiveness of these misters are in dispute. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200602/p2a/00m/0na/025000c
ReplyDeleteWhy would you need funding? Is it to offset cost to insurance companies?
ReplyDeleteIt's my understanding CO's already have health coverage. What prevents them from using it to pay for testing.
Why aren't health insurance companies paying for this generally? We pay premiums right up until we have a pandemic and then the tax payers have to pay for it anyway?
Testing everyone will not solve the problem. You can test negative one day and then get the virus the next. Unless you plan on testing everyday its a waste of money.
ReplyDelete11.31
ReplyDeletetry
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/19/880543755/insurers-may-only-pay-for-coronavirus-tests-when-theyre-medically-necessary
"Health plans have been erring on the side of paying the full cost, though hospitals have reported some self-funded plans trying to impose co-pays and deductibles. But the nation's largest insurer, UnitedHealthcare, makes the same distinction, that full coverage does require a test to be deemed medically necessary."
5:25PM
ReplyDeleteSeeking funds to make sure that everyone has Universal Medical coverage makes sense.
Why would anyone pay for, or seek funding for, what health insurance companies deem as an unnecessary medical expense?
...and if it is medically necessary, why don't we use the insurance companies for which we already paid the premiums?
Should have put them on a bus for the FREE TESTS in Easton
ReplyDeleteAnyone working in the medical field, police, corrections, and nursing homes should have access to testing regardless whether they have symptoms. 40% of people are asymptomatic and can spread the disease. Nursing homes and prisons are hot spots for diseases to spread quickly. NorCo Jail has done an amazing job at keeping staff and inmates safe. Knowing who is carrying COVID can prevent further spread. Yes, staff members all have insurance. Why should people have to pay co-pays to see a doctor only to find out they do not qualify due to lack of symptoms? Corrections is a thankless and underappreciated job. Citizens look down on COs, but are horrified when criminals are set free. You can have things both ways. Learn to give thanks to the people who babysit the individuals you would prefer locked up. Let's keep correctional staff safe by making testing standard and free.
ReplyDeleteAnyone working in the medical field, police, corrections, and nursing homes should have access to testing regardless whether they have symptoms. 40% of people are asymptomatic and can spread the disease. Nursing homes and prisons are hot spots for diseases to spread quickly. NorCo Jail has done an amazing job at keeping staff and inmates safe. Knowing who is carrying COVID can prevent further spread. Yes, staff members all have insurance. Why should people have to pay co-pays to see a doctor only to find out they do not qualify due to lack of symptoms? Corrections is a thankless and underappreciated job. Citizens look down on COs, but are horrified when criminals are set free. You can have things both ways. Learn to give thanks to the people who babysit the individuals you would prefer locked up. Let's keep correctional staff safe by making testing standard and free.
ReplyDeleteRe: Hypochlorous Acid misting - it's being disingenuous to say it is natural in the body when it is actually produced in a very controlled manner to kill pathogens. The process relies on white blood cells to recognize said pathogens, create a closed system around it, then HA is created through enzymatic process to basically digest the 'bug'. The remnants are spit out and the HA is contained. HA is not selective - it pretty much oxidizes everything in its path and if it were just freely floating around (on or in us) we would have problems in the long run. Please quit spreading incomplete information by repeating what you heard or saw on a product website in this time of a pandemic. New products and methods are popping up everywhere under relaxed regulations and we need to be vigorous in finding true, long-term studies on the ingredients. Be your own best advocate and "don't throw the baby out with the bath water!"
ReplyDelete