Compliance director says jail is in ‘100 percent substantial compliance' with consent decree.
Several states, included Louisiana, have shuttered schools until the end of the academic year, leaving some students out of classrooms for five months or more.
"As a citizen concerned with the health and liberty of our fellow New Orleanians during this unprecedented time, I was outraged to learn of the City of New Orleans continued expansion of surveillance tactics and tools through unconstitutional police checkpoints and new contracts with surveillance companies. These irresponsible choices divert funds and attention from assisting those most affected by the intersection of COVID-19 and existing structural inequalities."
The moratorium was extended from May 4 to at least May 18.
Council members say few details yet available on how the debt would be repaid.
The checkpoints, which were scheduled to go to the end of the city's stay-at-home order, have been criticized by civil rights groups.
The jail's compliance director speaks with The Lens about his decision to expand inmate testing and the challenges of keeping a deadly infection in check in a confined environment.
"It has become clear: we must learn from this moment and work diligently to reshape the future of our society. If we can fight fatigue from the stress of our current situation, it is possible to provide dignity and safety for essential workers now, while making choices that create real and lasting change for those being hit hardest: Black communities."
The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women is reporting more positive cases than any other state prison.
An eviction moratorium is set to expire on May 4, more than a week before a statewide stay at home order expires. The city’s eviction courts say they’re waiting on guidance from state Supreme Court before announcing an extension.