Inweekly has received a letter signed by 53 female inmates in Escambia County’s work release building, pleading: “Please help us, we do not have a voice.”
The women housed in Dorm 2 say that seven of them are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 virus and have requested to be tested, but the jailers and nurses have refused to do it.
“They are only treating symptoms, giving ibuprofen and cough drops,” they wrote.
“Our bunks are exactly two feet apart,” the women added. “If this situation continues to be swept under the rug, it has the potential to spread like wildfire and unfortunately become deadly to those who have lower immune systems.”
The jail has only tested 189 of its over 1,400 inmates, according to county update reports – the positivity rate is over 70%.
We have asked the county for a response.
Complete Text:
To whom it may concern,
There are approximately 53 female inmates held in the Escambia County Work Release Building: Dorm two. There are six other dorms within the facility and about 200 other inmates held throughout the unit in our dorm.
Dorm two, there are seven females exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 virus. When the females are requesting to be tested, they respond with, “We are following CDC guidelines and the direction of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia regarding COVID-19 isolation and testing.” C Gardener, an RN.
But they are still not testing these individuals that are showing key symptoms of COVID-19 and have been for over a week. They’re only treating the symptoms, giving ibuprofen and cough drops.
We strongly believe that the jail is lying to the media in order to keep the situation under wraps. Our bunks are exactly two feet apart. This situation continues to be swept under the rug. It has the potential to spread like wildfire and unfortunately, become deadly to those who have lower immune systems.
Please help us, we don’t have a voice.
Sincerely,
The Concerned Women of Escambia County Work Release dorm.
[The letter had 53 signatures]