North Country Forum
Dr. Carney’s most recent posts are to be found here. He is in the process of compiling a complete archive of all articles he has written since his retirement from professional social work practice in 2010. All his blogs have as their focus issues pertaining to social justice; are generally placed in their historical context; and, ultimately, are subjected to in-depth analyses whose aim is to promote a full understanding of the issues being addressed.
Concerned About COVID in North Country and NYS Prisons? What Does the Governor’s and DOCCS Director’s Silence about COVID in the Prisons Actually Mean? Write a Letter to the Governor and Ask Him to Speak Out, Part II.
Introduction: Little more than a month ago, I sent e-mails to Governor Cuomo, Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, and to my Albany representatives, Senator Jim Tedisco, 49th SD, and Assemblyman Robert Smullen, 118th AD, asking the above questions. I received no responses and am setting about doing the same things again. You might ask why I simply don’t accept the non-replies as indications there are no problems in our State prisons. If you look at the DOCCS website, the COVID numbers they report are low: 517 inmates have tested positive, of whom 488 are considered recovered and 16 of whom passed away; 800 had negative...