Posted on 04/30/2020 5:40:27 AM PDT by grimalkin
Convincing potential COVID-19 patients to stay in quarantine is taking a controversial turn in Shoreline.
King County officials are giving addicts beer, cigarettes - and until recently marijuana - so they won't leave a recovery center.
Officials with the Department of Human and Community Services call it harm reduction and point out no tax payer money is being used.
Some neighbors said it makes sense. Others called it a big mistake.
The Shoreline facility is set up for people suspected of having COVID-19 but who can't quarantine at home, or they don't have a home. Some also have addictions and threaten to leave when physical withdrawals begin.
To convince them to stay put, county officials are giving them cigarettes, beer and up until a week ago marijuana edibles.
“I'm all for helping anybody with the COVID. I'm not sure about doling out marijuana and cigarettes and beer,” said Brian Sorensen, who lives across the street from the recovery center.
County officials stopped offering pot because they said it doesn't create the same debilitating detox effects as alcohol and nicotine.
However, they said they'll keep providing beer and cigarettes because it's more dangerous to have potentially sick addicts leave quarantine and wander the neighborhood.
“Keeping everyone safe, public health, the general health of all is a priority and so this is informed by that. it seems like a good idea," said Elise Murowchick, another neighbor.
Health officials said the amount of beer is limited and nicotine patches are offered first. The beer and cigarettes that are purchased are covered out of pocket by a county department head, but other private funding is being arranged.
“I just don't understand the logic behind it,” said Zac M., who lives nearby. “There's so many other things that he could be putting his money towards."
“If you don't deal with the alcohol addictions, you're not dealing with the health crisis,” said Allen Alston, who lives in the area.
Ten people were staying at the Shoreline facility as of Wednesday night. County officials said two are currently involved in this harm reduction assistance.
King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, whose district includes Shoreline, released a statement:
“No taxpayer funds should be used for the acquisition and/or distribution of recreational marijuana, alcohol or tobacco at these emergency medical facilities. This field hospital has been a great success story in our nation-leading response to the COVID-19 crisis, with rapid deployment and incredible community support while providing the necessary medical care for those quarantined there. We can’t lose the trust and confidence of our community in this work.”
Time to bring back pest houses for people who test positive and refuse to stay put...?
Watching an entire nation go mad is kind of interesting.
Scary, but interesting.
L
And I’m sure as a result, business is booming.
Further proof this is purely a coup to overthrow the nation rather than an actual disease.
Might as well add cocaine to the shopping list, Hopefully some of them will overdose.
Cocaine, heroin, meth... just add it all.
Typical soft-heated LIB/Lefty response to a multifaceted problem. I might be impressed if the LIB losers adopted these homeless bums into their family and into their houses. What pathetic fools.
If they offer cigars then I’m in.
Officials with the Department of Human and Community Services are full of ####.
ping
How many junkies are involuntarily going cold turkey now? Are the pushers making deliveries?
And where are the crack whores, stick-up thugs and burglars? Little crime (other than Democrat behavior) has been reported lately.
Protecting them with smokes?
“The rate of current daily smokers was significantly lower in COVID-19 outpatients and inpatients (80.3% and 75.4%, respectively)”
https://www.qeios.com/read/WPP19W.3
“If you don't deal with the alcohol addictions, you're not dealing with the health crisis”
And the way to deal with alcoholism is to give the addict free alcohol? There's no doubt now that some homeless people in King County will try to get the Wuhan virus just for the free booze and cigarettes. A month from now there will be a spike in covid infections among the homeless population and the socialist libs will squeal about how it proves that the poor don't have adequate healthcare.
This one didn't get the point - they're not giving this stuff out to avoid withdrawal, they're giving it out to bribe bums to stay put.
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