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My heart is full watching the #COVID19 crisis unfolding in San Quentin prison.
Why? We already know what it looks like when a global pandemic is unleashed on prisons. I’m talking about hepatitis C. (Thread: 1/8) https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/07/san-quentin-coronavirus-outbreak-prison-diary.html
Why? We already know what it looks like when a global pandemic is unleashed on prisons. I’m talking about hepatitis C. (Thread: 1/8) https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/07/san-quentin-coronavirus-outbreak-prison-diary.html
Over 400,000 people who are incarcerated have hep C.
There’s been a cure since early 2014. But the horrible reality? While 50-70% of those outside the criminal justice system receive treatment, only FIVE PERCENT of those diagnosed inside prisons get it. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31115920/
There’s been a cure since early 2014. But the horrible reality? While 50-70% of those outside the criminal justice system receive treatment, only FIVE PERCENT of those diagnosed inside prisons get it. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31115920/
Why?
There are few reasons, but mainly this: the current cost to correctional departments to treat hep C is up to $25,000 per person. At this price, it would take $10 billion to treat every incarcerated person who needs it.
There are few reasons, but mainly this: the current cost to correctional departments to treat hep C is up to $25,000 per person. At this price, it would take $10 billion to treat every incarcerated person who needs it.
The truth is, we live in a hierarchy of health. Some people get access. Others don’t. We’ve seen this story play out in every global pandemic of the last two decades.
#COVID19 is ravaging people in our prisons. We know that President Trump bought 90% of the world’s supply of #remdesivir for the next 3 mo
Experience with hep C shows that people in prisons and jails will be the very last to receive treatment, if at all. https://www.businessinsider.com/us-buys-nearly-all-worlds-remdesivir-for-next-three-months-2020-7
Experience with hep C shows that people in prisons and jails will be the very last to receive treatment, if at all. https://www.businessinsider.com/us-buys-nearly-all-worlds-remdesivir-for-next-three-months-2020-7
Stakes are high. Deaths in correctional facilities are on the rise. If treatment is delayed, the consequences will be swift and go far beyond the confines of prisons or jails. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/16/us/coronavirus-inmates-prisons-jails.html
Treating people who are incarcerated is not only the right and compassionate thing to do, it’s imperative for our public health response and eventual economic recovery.
Congress needs to act now to ensure that any #COVID19 treatment or vaccine that emerges is accessible to people in prison who are among the hardest hit by the virus and the most likely to be denied treatment.
