Elena* was in the infirmary with her bunkee, Michelle* from Thursday through Saturday. This is because on Tuesday, Elena and Michelle reported symptoms of fever and shortness of breath. That day, staff came in to test Elena and Michelle for COVID-19 – Elena’s test came back negative but Michelle’s initial test came back positive. So, they later tested Michelle again and then told her that the new test came back negative – that the first one was wrong. Still, they were both immediately put on antibiotics that first day (Tuesday). This was Elena’s second total time in the infirmary since arriving at SRJ and she said this time, the conditions were the same as the first: blood on the mattress, mucus on the walls, filthy floor, feces stain on blanket, etc. When she requested a new blanket or mattress, she was denied.
This was Elena’s second total time in the infirmary since arriving at SRJ and she said this time, the conditions were the same as the first: blood on the mattress, mucus on the walls, filthy floor, feces stain on blanket, etc. When she requested a new blanket or mattress, she was denied. The infirmary seemed especially crowded – Elena and Michelle had to share a room in there as well. Elena tried to call us from the infirmary but the phone did not work in their room, so they were completely isolated.
The infirmary seemed especially crowded – Elena and Michelle had to share a room in there as well. Elena tried to call us from the infirmary but the phone did not work in their room, so they were completely isolated. Elena’s anxiety also peaked in the midst of all this, especially given that her son is a paraplegic and couldn’t be in contact with him during this time. They were also not able to shower during their time in the infirmary. Now, Elena and Michelle are back in their housing unit. They are still doing split tier pod time. Cleaning products are given out once a day but are dirty and watered down. Most deputies are wearing masks and gloves but a couple of them sometimes do not. They still have the same clothes for a whole week with no swaps. Elena got a new mask at the infirmary, but otherwise they haven’t given out fresh masks. They get no gloves. Elena developed diabetes last month, she thinks largely because she was high risk and was not receiving her proper gluten free diet. Now that she has diabetes, she should be tested for her blood sugar levels every day, but in March they tested her every Monday and Friday, and this month, the last time they tested her was April 5th. They have pushed Elena’s prelim from early April to late June.
*Name has been changed.