As the Chief Physician of Rikers Island, I prefer to do my work anonymously, but in these extraordinary times, I must comment on this letter from the district attorneys of New York. nypost.com/2020/03/30/cit… 1/x The only part of the letter I can speak directly to is their failure to appreciate the public health disaster unfolding before our eyes.
They suggest that the city:

A message from the Chief Physician of Rikers Island for the judges and prosecutors of New York: We who care for those you detain noticed how swiftly you closed your courts in response to #COVID19 1/x This was fundamentally an act of social distancing, a sound strategy in public health. But the luxury that allows you to protect yourselves, carries with it an obligation to those you detain. 2/x

I don’t know this person, but let’s think about the premise here. In order to be busted 138 times, it means you are NOT locked up for any significant period of time, which in turn means your “busts” are for minor things. Also the 137th didn’t deter you from the 138th! 1/x

https://twitter.com/nydailynews/status/1227822849483825153

Each bust costs the taxpayer at least thousands, probably 10’s of thousands and the total taxpayer bill for this sort of thing is certainly in the millions.