New York Bill Would Let Governor Imprison, Forcibly Medicate People Suspected Of Illness; NYC sends COVID vaccine to Riker's Island and other city jails as vulnerable citizens wait, and other C-Virus Updates

New York Bill Would Let Governor Imprison, Forcibly Medicate People Suspected Of Illness:

The New York assembly is considering a bill that would allow government officials such as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and health commissioners to “detain or remove” individuals that they deem a risk to public health.

The bill, first introduced by Democrat New York State Assemblyman N. Nick Perry, grants power to Cuomo and state health officials to forcibly confine any individual who is considered a danger due to a contagious disease or a suspected case of that disease to either a medical facility or another type of space appointed by the governor.

“The governor or his or her delegee may, in his or her discretion, issue and seek enforcement of any other orders that he or she determines are necessary or appropriate to prevent dissemination or transmission of contagious diseases or other illnesses that may pose a threat to the public health,” the bill states.

The proposed legislation does not name COVID-19 specifically. Instead, it claims that, in addition to being detained, individuals who are exposed or infected by a “communicable disease” resulting in “severe morbidity or high mortality” may also be subjected to tests, medical examinations, treatment, preventative medication, and vaccination by the state while being held. --->READ MORE HERE

NYC sends COVID vaccine to Riker's Island and other city jails as vulnerable citizens wait:

New York City's jail health officials have begun vaccinating medical staff against the coronavirus, and plan to start inoculating corrections officers and inmates as early as this week.

According to The City, Dr. Patsy Yang, senior vice president for Correctional Health Services, wrote in an email to staff on Sunday that the de Blasio administration recently got permission from the state to “offer the COVID-19 vaccine to our highest risk patients.”

Correctional Health Services handles medical care for the almost 5,000 inmates currently held at Rikers Island and other city-operated jails.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prioritized jail officers and other staff who work with inmates for immunization against the coronavirus. --->READ MORE HERE

Follow links below to related stories and resources:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Rollout Plan Will Waste Vaccine Doses

Coronavirus vaccines have arrived, but frustrated Americans are struggling to sign up

USA TODAY: Coronavirus Updates

WSJ: Coronavirus Live Updates

YAHOO NEWS: Coronavirus Live Updates

NEW YORK POST: Coronavirus The Latest

If you like what you see, please "Like" us on Facebook either here or here. Please follow us on Twitter here.