Inmate Daniel Hernandez, also known as Tekashi 69, has asthma, making him particularly vulnerable to Covid-19. When the medical director of his facility recommended that he be transferred to a hospital prison authorities reacted dogmatically, as they often do. They overruled the doctor. Sentencing Judge Paul Egelmayer stated that he would have ordered home confinement if he had known about Covid-19, but he knew that ultimately, the BOP does as it pleases. So, Tekashi 69 remains incarcerated, with asthma, in an environment that is a breeding ground for infectious disease.
The 2,300,000 people who are incarcerated in the United States are extraordinarily vulnerable to Covid-19. Prison is a perfect breeding ground for the virus. There is no practical way to separate inmates. China has admitted to over 500 deaths in their prisons from Covid-19, primarily involving prisons in Shandong, and Zhejiang. Because of the combination of virulence and close living quarters that inmates experience, some countries have moved to release prisoners, as much as practical. While fortunately, 80% of cases of Covid-19 appear to be mild, 15% are severe, requiring hospitalization, and another 5% are deemed critical. Those at greatest risk are the elderly, and inmates with hypertension, diabetes, and lung disease. Sadly, there are a great number of inmates who fall into these vulnerable categories.

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