Staying Healthy

Staying Connected

COvID19

w

Information for Prisoners
Dear Friend,

We hope this message reaches you in good health and spirits.

As you read this, the world is changing rapidly outside. People’s day to
day realities have changed dramatically as routines of work, school,
childcare, recreation, and simple things like shopping for groceries are
disrupted or eliminated entirely, leaving us in a new moment none of
us can fully comprehend or predict.

We are told tostay indoors and “socially distance” ourselves from each
other. In many places there are official orders to “shelter in place” and
people feel anxious—not just about getting sick, but also about how to

afford and access basic supplies and pay the rent after being laid off or
having hours cut.

But alongside the anxiety, we also see possibilities opening up in the
cracks of the status quo. We are witnessing a rapid and flerce coming-
together of friends and neighbors committed to taking care of each
other through this crisis. People are coordinating distribution of
material resources and providing emotional support within their
communities, finding ways to remain socially connected while being
physically distant.

This guide is an attempt to extend that social connection inside, across
the walls and razor wire. We haven't forgotten about you and won't
stop advocating for you. We hope you find this guide helpful, and that

you'l stay in touch to let us know how you're doing and what you
need.

In solidarity,
Blue Ridge ABC

Corona Virus Call-In Line @Kkitelineradio
Call to record a message to be played on the air about the
impact of COVID-19 on the incarcerated population.
765-343-6236
What this guide covers

This guide provides up-to-date information about COVID19.

have only used information from credible sources such as the
Center for Disease Control and other public health resources
Critical information is also covered in Spanish although we Weve
not able to translate the entire guide.

We also suggest ways to advocate for yourself and others atthis
time, including a COVID19 Report Form and information about an-
upcoming national grievance filing day on May 7. Finally, we

share news about people being released from prisons and jails ™
the wake of this crisis.

Section 1: Background Information

>What s coronavirus // COVID19?

> Symptoms of COVID19 // Sintomas ** Espaiiol incluido™*
>Whois at a higher risk for severe symptoms?

> How does the virus spread? ** Espafiol incluido **

> How is COVID19 diagnosed and treated?

What is coronavirus // COVID19?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause ilness
ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases affecting
the respiratory (breathing) system.

In 2019 a new strain of coronavirus was discovered in humans
(before then, it was only known to exist in animals). This new or'
“novel” coronavirus causes the disease known as COVID19, which
s a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.
COVID19 i short for Coronayirus Disease 2019.

After rapidly spreading across the world, COVID19 was officially
declared a “pandemic” by the World Health Organization (WHO)
4

on March 11, 2020. At the time of that declaration the virus had
spread to at least 114 countries and had killed more than 4,000
Ppeople. As of March 21, 2020, that number has risen to 177
countries with at least 12,000 deaths. The vast majority of people
who get sick do recover; to date, about 90,000 people (that we
know of) have recovered from COVID19.

Symptoms of COVID19

People may not experience symptoms for between 2-14 days (the
“incubation period”) after infection. The most common
symptoms are:

- Fever
- Cough
« Shortness of breath

Sintomas

Enlos casos confirmados de la enfermedad del coronavirus
2019 (COVID-19), las enfermedades reportadas han variado de
tener sintomas leves a enfermedades graves, y hasta
produjeron muertes. Los sintomas pueden incluir:

- Fiebre
- Tos

- Dificultad para respirar

Los CDC creen que los sintomas del COVID-19 podrian aparecer
en tan solo 2 dias o hasta 14 dias después de a exposicién

Most people with COVID19 experience mild to moderate
symptoms and recover without seeking treatment. Many people
are also “asymptomatic,” meaning they show no symptoms
Some patients develop severe symptoms, including pneumor
organ failure, and in some cases death.

s

According to current data, “approximately 14% [of patients]
develop severe disease requiring hospitalization and oxygen
support and 5% require admission to an intensive care unit to try
to prevent the most severe complications including septic shock. A
(this differs for high-risk groups, see “Who is at higher risk”)

Emergency warning signs for severe COVID19 include:

. Trouble breathing

. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse

. Bluish lips or face

Who is at higher risk for severe iliness?

Los adultos mayores y las personas con afecciones crénicas
subyacentes graves, como enfermedades cardiacas,
enfermedades pulmonares o diabetes, parecen tener un mayor
riesgo de presentar complicaciones més graves.

Certain groups of people are more vulnerable to developing
severe symptoms, including:

« Older adults (65 and older)

« People with chronic health problems such as heart disease,
lung disease, diabetes
« People with weakened immune systems

Severity by age group in the U.S.

Hosphalization, intensive cae unit (CU) admission.
'and caseftality percentagesfof reported COMD-19 High estmate
Casesin the United States,Feb. 12-March 16,2020
Lowestimate
MOSPITALIZED INTENSIVECARE DEATHS
o19years
2044
554
sse4
2
7584
8sandup
0 2 0% 0 B
Source Centrsfo DseaseContland Prevention

e G

[

+ 31-59% of adults 65-84 years old with COVID19 require
hospitalization

« 11-31% of adults 65-84 years old require admission to
intensive care unit

How does the virus spread?

The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who a
close contact (within about 6 ft) through “respiratory droplet's
released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These
droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby or
inhaled.

Frequently-asked questions about spread of coronavirus
Can someane spread the virus withot being sick?

People are thought to be most contagious when they are most
symptomati (sickest), but people with mild symptoms and people
‘who show no symptoms (asymptomatic) can spread the virus.

Con the virus be spread from contact with contaminated surfaces/object 57

Information on this is changing, but recent evidence from the Nationa |
Institutes of Health shows the virus can remain “detectable and stable”
‘on various surfaces Including copper (up to 4 hours), cardboard (24
hours), and plastic and stainless steel (2-3 days). So it may be possible.
£ get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus o 1
and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes.

Con you catch coronavirus by eating food handled or prepared by others?

1¥'s not clear whether the virus can be spread through food handied oF
prepared by an infected person, but it is considered unlikely/rare. FOr-
hot food, the virus would likely be killed by cooking. This may not be.
the case with uncooked foods like salads or sandwiches.

Can coronavirus travel through the air?

Information about this i stll emerging, but a recent NIH study show'S
the virus can stay present in the ai for up to three hours, concluding
that airborne spread of the virus is “plausible.”

Cémo se propaga el COVID-19 7

Los conocimientos actuales sobre como se propaga el virus que
causa la enfermedad del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) se basan en
sumayoria en lo que se sabe sobre coronavirus similares.

Propagacidn de persona a persona

Se cree que el virus se propaga principalmente de persona a
persona.

- Entre las personas que tienen contacto cercano entre ellas
(dentro de unos 6 pies de distancia).

- Mediante gotitas respiratorias que se producen cuando una
persona infectada tose o estornuda.

- Estas gotitas pueden llegar a la boca o la nariz de las personas
que se encuentren cerca o posiblemente entrar a los.
pulmones al respirar.

Propagacién mediante el contacto con supefficies u objetos
contaminados

Podria ser posible que una persona contraiga el COVID-19 al
tocar una superficie u objeto que tenga el virus y luego se toque
la boca, la nariz o posiblemente los ojos, aunque no se cree que
esta sea la principal forma en que se propaga el virus.

Cudndo se produce lo propagacién?

- Se cree que las personas son més contagiosas cuando
presentan sintomas més fuertes (estdn mis enfermas).

. Podria ser posible que haya algo de propagacion antes de. Que.
las personas presenten sintomas; ha habido informes sobre.
esto con relacién a este nuevo coronavirus, aunque no se.
cree que esta sea la principal forma en que se propaga el
virus.
How is COVID19 diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis

Laboratory tests can identify
the virus that causes COVID-19
in respiratory samples. State
and local public health
departments have received
tests from the Center for
Disease Control. These tests are Real-Time Reverse
Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Panels, that can provide.
results in 4 to 6 hours.

NCDPS has stated that COVID-19 tests are being done * as
necessary”-let us know if you o someone else have
symptoms of COVID19 and have not been given a test or
have been told no tests are available.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment or vaccine at this time.

Section 2: How to Avoid Spread & Infection

The best way to stay healthy is to avoid exposure
and infection by following these practices:

> Wash your hands often with soap and water
for at least 20 seconds — especially before eating or touching
your face, eyes, or mouth and after touching frequently-used
surfaces (cell doors, counters, phones; bathroom surfaces).

> NCDPS says it is making a non-alcohol based hand cleanser
available to all Inmates; let us know if you are not receiving
this product on demand!

> Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth especially with
unwashed hands.

> Whenever possible stay 6 feet away from others (“physical
distancing”)

> Cover cough or sneeze with your elbow — do not
cough/sneeze into your hand or the air

» Sanitize surfaces in your cell with disinfectant every day. If
possible, sanitize eating surfaces before eating. NCDPS says
that it has made disinfecting spray available - let us know if
You are not being provided with necessary supplies!

> Do not share glasses, utensils, dishes, towels, or bedding that
has not been cleaned/sanitized between uses.

Everyone should follow these practices, but it is especially
important if you are over 65 or have a chronic health problem
(heart or lung disease, diabetes, weakened immune system).

Tome medidas para protegerse
Limpiese las manos con frecuencia

. Lévese las manos frecuentemente con agua y jabén por
menos 20 segundos, especialmente después de haber estad ®
en un lugar pblico, o después de sonarse la nariz, toser ©
estornudar.

. Evite tocarse los 0jos, la nariz y la boca con las manos sin
lavar.

Evite el contacto cercano

- Evite el contacto cercano con personas que estén enfermas.

. Mantenga una distancia entre usted y las otras personas s, €|
COVID-19 se estd propagando en su comunidad. Estos es
especialmente importante para las personas que tengan W
mayor riesgo de enfermarse gravemente.

Tome medidas para proteger a los demés
Quédese en casasi ests enfermo o
- Quédese en casa si ests enfermo, excepto para consegu
atencion médica. Sepa qué hacer si se enferma.

Cubrase la boca al toser y estornudar

- Cabrase la boca y la nariz con un pafivelo
desechable cuando tosa o estornude, o use
la parte interna del codo.

- Bote los pafiuelos desechables que haya
usado a la basura.

. Deinmediato, l4vese las manos con agua y jabén por al
menos 20 segundos.

Use una mascarilla si est enfermo

+ S esté enfermo: Usted deberia usar una mascarilla cuando
esté cerca de otras personas (p. ej., compartiendo una
habitacién o un vehiculo) y antes de entrar al consultorio de
un proveedor de atencién médica. Si no puede usar una
mascarilla (por ejemplo, porque le causa dificultad para
respirar), debe hacer todo lo posible por cubrirse la narizy la
boca al toser y estornudar, y las personas que lo estén
cuidando deben ponerse una mascarilla si entran a su
habitacién. Sepa qué hacer si se enferma.

- S1NO est4 enfermo: No necesita usar una mascarilla a menos
que esté cuidando a alguien que ests enfermo (y que no
puede usar una). Es posible que las mascarillas empiecen a
escasear y deberfan reservarse para los cuidadores.

7% Limpiey desinfecte

fl « Limpie Y desinfecte las superficies que se
tocan frecuentemente todo los dias. Esto
incluye las mesas, las manijas de las puertas, los interruptores
de luz, los mesones, las barandas, los escritorios, los

teléfonos, los teclados, los inodoros, los grifos, los lavamanos
y los lavaplatos.
. si las superficies estén sucias,
detergente antes de desinfectar.

ipielas: use agua y jabon o

"

Section 3: Latest News

> What NCDPS is telling people
» Resistance News

What NCDPS is telling people
‘The following is from NCDPS website:
This is what has been done so far, as of March 19, 2020:

. Visitation and volunteer visits were suspended at all prison

. Legal visitation and pastoral care visits continue, but those.
visitors will be subject to medical screening.

. All vendors and contractors doing business with facilities also
will be screened prior to entering a prison facility.

. Aggressive cleaning efforts are underway at all prisons.

. Ample supplies of disinfectants and soap have been
distributed to each facility.

. Correction Enterprises has 2,000 cases of disinfectant in the-
spray bottle form available and is producing 1,100 cases/day.

. Anon-alcohol-based hand cleanser has been created by
Correction Enterprises and is available to staff and offenders

. Coronavirus prevention posters from the CDC have been
placed in all facilities to explain how to reduce exposureto, 0¥
transmission of, the virus.

. All new offenders to the state prison system are being
medically screened for potential COVID-19 symptoms to
prevent the introduction of the virus. Those who have
symptoms are isolated while the source of their medical issue
s investigated. COVID-19 tests are being done as necessary,
in accordance with public health guidelines.
. Offender transportation is limited to only court-ordered, high
priority and health care movements. 2

. Offenders who are transported are medically screened for
potential COVID-19 symptoms. Offenders with symptoms are
isolated while the source of their medical issues are
investigated. COVID-19 tests are being done as necessary, in
accordance with public health guidelines.

. Alltransport buses and vehicles are required to be cleaned
thoroughly after each use.

. Offenders who continue to work at external locations are
being medically screened when departing from, and returning
to, the facility. Return screening is done to identify anyone
who develops symptoms while outside the facility.

. Non-essential medical appointments for offenders have been
canceled to reduce transports so the medical staff can focus
on COVID-19 issues.

. Medical co-pays have been waived for offenders with fevers
or flu-like symptoms.

. Increased recreational opportunities for offenders are being

instituted, where possible, and all facilities will have access to
a movie subscription service.

. Offenders are allowed two free five-minute phone calls each
week to family and friends.

. Pre-paid post cards will be provided for offenders in
restrictive housing, who do not have phone privileges, if they
wish to correspond in writing to family and friends.

. Staff has been instructed to report anyone who looks ll or
feverish to the chain of command.

Resistance News: Campaigns for Mitigation & Early Release.

All across the country, people are being released from prisons

and jails in the wake of this outbreak. As abolitionists, we want- +o
see everyone released, but we take heart at seeing the small gAinS
made toward decarceration in a short period of time, and we W 1!
keep building momentum for more and more people to walk fee
13
North Carolina

» Hundreds of people in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County and
Buncombe County have been released and advocates are
actively pushing for more releases

» Durham County jail population decreased nearly 9% this past
week and advocates outside are pushing for more releaseses

> Advocates are organizing a phone zap (mass calk-in) to NCDP.S.
starting March 23, 2020 to demand release of as many peo ple.
as possible across NC state prisons.

Other States

> Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby asked Maryland Grov.
Larry Hogan to use his clemency powers to release incarceva:
people who are over 60 or battling illnesses, and release early
anyone due to complete their sentences in the next year.

» The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reduced its
inmate population by 600; as many as 1,000 people in New
Jersey county jails wil be released starting next week; and
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, released hundreds of prisoners.

> Immigrants Are on Hunger Strike in 3 ICE Detention Centers

International

> In Iran, as many as 85,000 people have been released from
prisons across the country since the start of the outbreak

> Hundreds of people escaped from four semi-open prisons in
$50 Paulo state in Brazil after Easter prison holidays were
cancelled and restrictions on visitors tightened

> Riots broke out in Italian prisons and bbout 50 people escaped
after restrictions on visitation were placed due to virus
Section 4: What you and your loved ones can do

> Self-Advocacy 5]
» Communicate and Document
> COVID19 Report Form

Self-Advocacy

f you are ot getting the care you need, or staff are not adhering
to the policies/practices stated above, you can:

« File an internal grievance form according to facility standards

« Have family members or friends call and email NCDPS Chief
Deputy Secretary of Corrections: 919-825-2759 (ask for Tim
Moose) // timothy.moose@ncdps.gov

« Inform local media, especially about failure to properly
isolate and test sick people

« If you are parole-eligible and/or in a high-risk group such a5
65+ or with chronic illness, write and call Governor Roy
Cooper to seek clemency/commutation. The North Carolind
Constitution grants clemency authority with the Governor 1N
all criminal and penal cases (NC Constitution, Article Il
Section 5); all inmates are eligible to apply for Governor's
clemency. To apply, state law requires a letter requesting a_
commutation of sentence be written to the Governor by the.
applicant or by someone on his or her behalf. The letter

should state the reasons for seeking clemency and applicants
address.

Goveror's Clemency Office llinois Prisoner Review Board
4294 MailService Center 319 East Madison Street, Suite A
Raleigh, N.C. 276994204 Springfield, IL 62701

Phone: 919.324-1456

Fax:919-715-8623 Telephone: 217-762-7273
E-mallclemency@ncgov FaX: 217-524-0012
Communicate & Document

* Send us a letter documenting what is going on in your facili
let us know if staff are not adhering to stated policies and
practices. You can also use
the enclosed report form.
Send letters and report
forms to:

Blue Ridge ABC
/o Firestorm Books.

610 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28306

* There will be a national grievance filing day on May 7, 2020

directed toward the Department of Justice ~ this relates toall
conditions in NC state prisons, including but not limited to

COVID19 response. If you or a family member would like to
receive a grievance form let us know at the address abovel

* Kite Line Radio has a hotline to report on COVID19 inside;
messages will be played on-air. Call: (765) 343-6236
COVID-19 compared to other common conditions

COVID-19 Common Flu Allergies

Cold
Fever common rare common sometimes
Dry Mouth common mild common sometimes
Shortness common no no common
of Breath
Headaches Sometimes rare common sometimes
Aches & Pains sometimes common common no
Sore Throat sometimes common common no
Fatigue Sometimes sometimes common sometimes
Diarrhea rare no sometimes* no
Runny Nose rare common sometimes common
Sneezing no common no common
* Sometimes in Children / Sources: CDC, WHO - Business
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology ~ Week
COVID19 REPORT FORM
First Name: Last Name:
Pronoun: [
1D#:
Location:
Facility:
Housing Unit: State: Federal Prison Y/N
Do you have pre-existing immune system complications? Y/N
Do you have Coronavirus symptoms? Y/N
Fever Y/N Dry Cough Y/N Trouble Breathing Y/N
How many days have you had symptoms?
Have you seen a doctor?
Have you been tested for COVID19? What kind of treatment are you

getting?

Have you been placed

isolation?
Are you on lockdown? Y/N How many days have you been?

Notes/Additional Information:

South Chicago
ABC Zine Distro
Publisher & Distributor
£.0. Box 721
Homewood, I 60430