Jail releases are not ‘zealous’

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Staten Island: In his May 19 op-ed, “Emptying jails is a dangerous fantasy,” Staten Island DA Michael McMahon reveals how isolated his office is from the humanitarian crisis unfolding at Rikers Island and other jails — facilities where he continues to send people to languish who have not been convicted of the charges pending against them. Other local district attorneys have argued that release is necessary — so who exactly is he calling a zealot?

As public defenders, we have a legal and moral obligation to protect our clients, which includes zealously advocating for their release from a facility that has earned the moniker “the epicenter of the epicenter” during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are people who suffer debilitating health conditions, and per the Department of Correction, are considered especially vulnerable to COVID-19. It’s also a complete fallacy and Trumpian for McMahon to recklessly argue that our clients are in better care on Rikers when the Board of Correction continues to admonish DOC for failing to adequately care for those in its custody. Even top DOC physicians have called for broad release.

McMahon’s heartless op-ed ignores the avoidable deaths of two clients to COVID-19. Michael Tyson, who was incarcerated on a non-criminal technical parole violation for missing a check-in, and Walter Ance, who was detained pretrial. Tragically, for these New Yorkers’ incarceration at Rikers Island amounted to a death sentence.

McMahon should direct his efforts towards ensuring the release of more incarcerated people from a jail system that has already claimed lives and will likely claim more.

Christopher Pisciotta, attorney-in-charge Staten Island trial office, The Legal Aid Society

Genie in a bottle

Manhattan: When America’s founders wrote the Declaration of Independence, they asserted that people have three “unalienable rights,” namely life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is a reason why “life” comes first. If you’re dead, you cannot take advantage of those other rights. (Nice haircut! I’ll just tap on the inside of the urn to express my appreciation.) The stay-at-home/”Give me liberty or give me death!” protesters must remain alert to the possibility that they will get their wish.

Kathryn Nocerino

See above

Bayside: Gov. Meatball Cuomo and the media have my grandchildren brainwashed. The virus is part of life. Just because idiots elected him, there is no reason that he can proclaim himself a king. Open up the state. He does not have the power to suspend our constitutional rights. This has gone on too long.

Timothy Collins

On the case

Hamilton, N.J.: Regarding the yeshiva in Brooklyn that was open for classes: What parents in their right minds would willingly put their children in danger like that? Maybe ACS should investigate them for being so irresponsible about the health and well being of their children. Thomas Peters

Glass half full

Bronx: Donald Trump and coronavirus pandemic, two calamities that have befallen us in half a decade. Can’t get any worse. Virgilio Carballo

Off target

Brooklyn: Bramhall’s World of Myopia: Does Bramhall find nothing ironic in the entire world other than his pitifully obvious agenda of denigrating the president? Clearly, what the cartoons are sorely missing is the idea of being clever; Gary Larson he is not. Ron Goldman

Friend’s happy hour

Brooklyn: I admire Trump for taking hydroxychloroquine. He should wash it down with a glass of chocolate-flavored Clorox and suggest to his friends McConnell, Barr, Pence, Nunes and others to do the same. After all, he is the smartest guy in the room.

Don Adler

Diversionary tactics

Bronx: Am I the only one who thinks Trump’s claim that he is taking hydroxychloroquine is a lie to distract the public or to support a business in which he has a financial interest?

Buying in

Carle Place, L.I.: Kudos to our president for his use of hydroxychloroquine. Who knows snake oil better than a snake oil salesman?

Rudy Rosenberg

No one

East Greenbush, N.Y.: If Major League Baseball kicks off with no fans in the stands, who is going to catch all the foul balls and home runs?

Steve Lachar

Fair game

Rita Torres

Brooklyn: To op-ed writer John Teufel (“Between rich and poor, a line in the sand,” May 19): Maybe you didn’t realize that Chris Cuomo and his wife both came down with the coronavirus. Yes, wealthy people have more options in general but the coronavirus does not discriminate. The coronavirus doesn’t care how much money you have.

Mariann Tepedino

Community love

Staten Island: What a wonderful, wonderful teacher you are, Stephanie Sun! (“Taking an AP test outside McD’s,” op-ed, May 18). I’m here in Castleton Corners, Staten Island and I have Wi-Fi. If any of these equally wonderful students want to take their exams using my Wi-Fi, my porch and I are here, plus Goodfellas, Joe and Pat’s and Domino’s too! In other words, great location! Janet Baker

In hindsight

Bronx: I do not understand why the New York Blood Center has not been running blood drives in local communities through its open donation centers. Many, if not most, of the locations could easily be set up for social distancing, the same way that the donor centers are. Most could easily be cleaned and disinfected. The only difference there would be from the regular drives is that the donations would be by appointment only. Many community centers have not been serving their local communities and are closed. However, many are also working on a much-reduced schedule, and would have been able to host blood drives. I know my synagogue,

JAMES KEIVOM/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS the Young Israel of Pelham Parkway, would have been able to host one. Kenneth S. Gelnick

Cool it

Brooklyn: Mayor de Blasio announced his plan for air conditioners for low-income families. I agree that these families should not have to suffer, but what’s wrong with giving them fans? Then take the rest of the money and give it to our first responders who are putting their lives at risk every day trying to save others. Give the money to hospitals to buy equipment. The mayor has said during this pandemic that we need to work together, we need to be smart. Well, he came across money. Spend it wisely. Not to mention you’re saving on electricity with fans as opposed to air conditioners.

John De Angelo

Free for all

Brooklyn: Now our mayor is giving out free air conditioners. Free food, transit cards, computers, etc. — what’s next? I see food being delivered every day and see it dumped. I hear of people not wanting to go back to work because they collect more by staying home. In my day, you were taught to work for what you needed. I think the mayor is leading the city in the wrong direction. Nothing is free! Mary Curran