Correctional officers, police force deserve praise

Every day that passes during Illinois' stay-at-home order seems to reveal new challenges for all of us, but in addition to health care workers, those who work in law enforcement also deserve praise for putting their lives on the line.

Correctional officers especially seem to be at risk of an increased exposure to the novel coronavirus that develops into COVID-19. Part of the reason is that prisons appear to offer ideal conditions for the virus to be spread. At Stateville Correctional Center near Joliet, 17 staff members have tested positive for coronavirus. Many Illinois Department of Corrections officers in southern Illinois either have worked a stint in Stateville or have colleagues who do.

Due to the nature of housing in prisons, there is an increased chance for a person with a communicable disease to spread it to other inmates and staff.

Correctional officers, both at state prisons and at county jails, have a significant risk of exposure to bodily fluids from those incarcerated.

There is a good chance that correctional officers don't have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment, but are reluctant to say so for fear of losing employment.

IDOC says it takes all concerns about staff safety seriously, and that employees who report assaults by inmates or other issues are protected. Prison staff or their families who contact us claim otherwise.

Police officers, likewise, have an increased risk of coronavirus exposure now. While Saline and Gallatin counties have had few individuals test positive for COVID-19 currently, the risk remains. For police officers, whether at the city, county or state level, statistically, the fact that they have encounters with individuals puts their risk higher than the average person observing stay-at-home measures.

Both of these groups within the law enforcement community are facing additional perils due to the nature of a disease spreading, and I'm sure more than a few feel an increased degree of stress as a result. We're fortunate that we have good people working these jobs in times like these to provide society the protection it needs.

If you know a correctional officer, police officer or other member of law enforcement, give them a call or send them a text and say "thanks." They'll be glad you did.