A Brooklyn judge held a full calendar call on March 12th. When a lawyer raised concerns about the lack of social distancing in the courtroom, the judge said, “If you don’t like it, you can leave.” Two weeks later, the judge died of #COVID19 complications. https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-brooklyn-supreme-court-civil-covid-19-judges-attorneys-20200409-byebigdbpbcv3he7wf5hxombju-story.html

This is a sad outcome and a clear example of the need to minimize in-person court appearances during the #COVID19 pandemic. It also shows how important it is to get people out of jails and prisons whenever possible. If a courtroom isn’t safe, then a jail certainly isn’t safe.