Tipsheet

NY Lawmaker Sounds the Alarm After Dems Call for Release of Prisoners at Risk for Coronavirus

Cortney O'Brien
Cortney O'Brien  |  March 24, 2020 3:45 PM

Democrats and activist groups have begun to call for the release of prisoners during the coronavirus outbreak because dozens of people have now tested positive for the coronavirus in the New York jail system. They argue that releasing low-level offenders is the virtuous thing to do so that those individuals aren't exposed to the virus. 

New York Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis argues that the Empire State is as overwhelmed enough as it is. Why endanger New Yorkers even more?

Yet legislators like City Councilman Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn) have called for the NYPD to loosen its policing efforts. 

“This crisis has put the stark differences in how our society cares for and values people into sharp relief,” Lander said this week. “New York City and New York State have a responsibility to shrink the jail population by halting arrests for low-level offenses.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio signaled that dozens of detainees have indeed been released.

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It's a similar story in Philadelphia, where police have been ordered to overlook certain non-violent crimes.

The Empire State is by far the hardest hit at the moment, with an overwhelming amount of new COVID-19 patients every day. Sources speculate that hospitals will run out of room and resources.

On a positive note, Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed on Sunday that starting Tuesday the state will be testing 70,000 doses of hydroxychloroquine, 10,000 doses of zithromax and 750,000 doses of chloroquine. Especially high hopes have been placed on hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug that has been available since the 1950s. You can learn more about it and its potential effectiveness against COVID-19 here. 

President Trump announced on Sunday that he's also agreed to New York's request for a major disaster declaration, which will provide even more resources.