An Alabama jail refused to allow inmates to wear face masks to prevent the coronavirus because an official claims “they’re going to eat them.”
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According to the New York Post, officials at the Madison County jail in Huntsville has refused to issue new masks to inmates despite one of the workers testing positive for the coronavirus. Spokesman Brett Patterson said the jailers have ‘safety concerns’ in regards to giving inmates new face masks.
He says, “You give them face masks [with] a nose piece — metal pieces in them — they’re going to eat them. They’re going to swallow them.”
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Initially, the employees at the jail were not required to wear face masks—but due to the reported case of a worker contracting the disease, it is now required. A protestor who was arrested and booked at the jail said his mask was confiscated upon his arrival.
“I was exposed to an unsafe condition. I think that is very, very irresponsible of them, knowing how important masks are, to continue to arrest people and put their health at risk.”