I cannot post this anywhere that people know who I am. But I need to vent.
I am a public defender. It’s underpaid work, but I have always believed in it. My job is to defend the poor who are charged with crimes and who don’t have the money to hire lawyers.
But being an older public defender during a pandemic that kills and disables the elderly disproportionately ihas put me in a quandary. How do I both do my job well and still protect myself and my older, disabled husband?
I am supposed to do a jury trial next week. If it goes, they have plexiglass up in the courtroom to protect others. But me? I will have a mask, but zero social distancing for at least two days.
They are exempting older people from jury service... people only a couple years older than me.
One of my opponents is a Viking wannabe — has a Mohawk style white boy haircut. He refuses to wear a mask, telling me that re-breathing air is “gross” but telling the judge that his asthma prevents it.
So he will be a plague rat often within 6 feet of me.
My client hasn’t been social distancing or masked while in a jail that doesn’t test people. They just isolate them if they have fever.
And from everything I read in reputable sources, wearing a mask only protects others, and minimally protects me. I am feeling extremely anxious and vulnerable.
If I could afford to retire, I would turn in the papers Monday. But I cannot afford it.
😱
@TomeReader I have an old face shield in my soap making supplies, I think. I am not sure if it would stay put on my head through a trial, but maybe I will see if I can dig it out. Certainly that couldn’t hurt, and might help. Thanks - I hadn’t thought of that.
Criminal trials by video aren’t allowed.
@Myrth Totally understand how you are feeling (mostly the fear of catching because at risk and have risky job can’t afford to quit).
I work in a hospital and have been working this whole time. Very few of us have caught this. Like 3 out of ~300 on my team. Getting exposed to COVID daily.
I’ll try to find sources, but if you wear a mask it does protect you as well as others. There is more data for protection with surgical masks and eye protection, but tight cotton also good. Don’t skip eyes!
I have cloth masks with ear loops, not medical N95 masks. Two fit me quite well, and I figured on wearing those. I am near-sighted, so generally only wear glasses for distance, not close up. This presents another problem. Normally I adjust glasses with my hands during a trial, as I go back and forth between looking at a witness and my notes or a police report in front of me. That’s dangerous in these times. I probably should get (and learn to use) bifocals. No time for that now.
@Myrth Those blue disposable masks are surgical masks, don’t need N95 respirator to be protected.
Surgical masks should block 90% particles, Good cotton block somewhere around 80%. I prefer my cotton masks to disposable but now have to wear surgical at work.
Keeping hands and surfaces sanitized takes getting used to, but like any new habit gets more normal over time.
Will need anti fog for glasses. Bifocals probably will be good as COVID isn’t going anywhere soon.
@Myrth Also mascne is a big bummer. At work we are all trying to figure out the perfect way to minimize it. Acne washes seem to help when used in the morning.
Totally get the worry. But hopefully can help with tips to keep you safe.
@Myrth Here is one article in JAMA
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2768532
“Covering mouths and noses with filtering materials serves 2 purposes: personal protection against inhalation of harmful pathogens and particulates, and source control to prevent exposing others to infectious microbes that may be expelled during respiration.”
In this case, healthcare employee infections rapidly stoped once all workers were wearing some kind of face covering.
@Myrth
Thank you for the work that you do. I'm so sorry you're in this position.
Do you have a face shield as well? Wearing both might be more beneficial.
I'm guessing there is no option to have the trial via video.