First Bexar County Deputy to Test Positive
Bexar County Jail
A deputy, who works in the Bexar County jail, tested positive for the coronavirus. He is the first officer that has tested positive at the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, though they have had a civilian test positive. According to the KSAT 12 article, the deputy “worked 1 day after feeling sick.” I’m concerned with the way KSAT phrased this. I realize they are pointing out the poor decision he made in going to work when he was sick but it gives the impression that it’s not a problem until a person starts feeling sick. If you have COVID-19 you will be shedding the virus while you are asymptomatic. In other words, just because you don’t feel sick yet, doesn’t mean you aren’t sick. You are still contagious even though you feel fine. That is why it is important to quarantine for 14 days if you have come into contact with someone who does have the disease.
Employees and Inmates at Risk
The deputy worked Sunday, when he was not feeling sick (but now we know that he was sick). And he worked Monday, when he was feeling sick. This means, at a minimum, this deputy worked two full days when he could have been infecting those around him. It also shows the inadequate measures the Salazar administration is taking to protect everyone in the jail. The deputy used the sanitizer before entering the jail and his temperature was taken when he went into the jail and when he left. While those are helpful actions, they give a false sense of security. The reality is, they are more for show than for actual effect. Sheriff Salazar needs to require that every employee report any travel they have taken, any contact they have had with a person who has traveled, if the employee plans to travel, and any contact with someone who appeared to be sick. They should also be encouraging their employees to wear masks ALL the time. They aren’t even requiring them to wear masks while at work much less when away from it. And again, there is a proper way to use hand sanitizer. I would bet they haven’t bothered posting any information on that either.
Another San Antonio Police Officer Tests Positive
A third police officer with the San Antonio Police Department has tested positive for COVID-19. KSAT 12 doesn’t have much information on this officer other than he worked in the same unit as the detective who tested positive. However, at this point they have not made the determination as to whether this officer was infected by the detective. One of the San Antonio Police officers who tested positive was in contact with a family member who had traveled to New York. As we all know, New York is currently a hot spot for COVID-19. Chief McManus should do the same thing we recommend that Sheriff Salazar do, make the reporting of travel, or contact with someone who has traveled, and contact with a person who appears to be sick, mandatory. If they had known the officer had contact with someone who had traveled to New York, they could have acted faster.