Many celebrities have been doing their part to help stop the spread of the coronavirus as cases continue to increase worldwide. Jay-Z and Meek Mill’s criminal justice organization REFORM Alliance is the latest to make a donation to help make a difference.
According to CBS News, REFORM Alliance is sending nearly 100,000 surgical masks to different correctional facilities throughout the country. Some of those facilities include the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman and the Rikers Island jail in New York City. The masks will be used to help protect the inmates, healthcare workers, and correctional officers.
Jessica Jackson, the chief advocacy officer at REFORM said, “It’s a very vulnerable population. We’re really worried about the number of people coming in and out of the facility, and the fact that the people living there might be sitting ducks during this pandemic.”
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REFORM Alliance announced on Friday that 40,000 masks were going to the Tennessee Department of Corrections, 5,000 masks were going to Parchman and 50,000 to Rikers Island and another 2,500 to a Rikers medical facility.
Those who have advocated for the inmates have stated that the spread of the virus among the incarcerated population is increasing because they are limited to confined spaces, which makes it hard for them to practice social distancing.
CBS reports that New York has the largest outbreak behind bars with 231 inmates and 223 staff members at New York City jails testing positive for the virus.
As we previously reported, earlier this week, Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation teamed up with Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation to donated a combined amount to various organizations to provide relief to the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s great to see so many celebrities from our community helping out in major ways.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jay-z-meek-mill-face-masks-reform-alliance-face-masks-jails-prisons/
TSR STAFF: Jade Ashley @Jade_Ashley94
