Written by Chris Kyea in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise

To the Editor:

The correctional officers in the North Country are essential workers during the COVID-19 outbreak and, due to the nature of their work, are especially vulnerable. However, the correctional officers in the North Country prisons didn’t even have necessary precautionary health and safety measures in place until Congresswoman Elise Stefanik called on the state to prioritize the safety of the men and women on the front lines of the prison.

It is unbelievable that the governor didn’t think about the safety and health of the North Country correctional officers and their families. However, Elise is constantly looking out for the men and women in the North Country, especially during these uncertain times, and that is exactly what she did by calling on Gov. Cuomo to prioritize the health and safety of the North Country correctional officers working diligently in our prisons.

Thankfully, Elise understands the necessity of correctional officers and their importance to our community. Her efforts advocating on behalf of these brave men and women have created effective solutions. Because of Elise, correctional officers in the North Country are now permitted to bring their own personal protective equipment to work and wear N95 respirator or other surgical-type masks during work.

That is why I am planning to vote for her in November. Elise knows what our correctional officers need to do their jobs correctly.

Chris Kyea

AuSable Forks

Read the full letter to the editor at: https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/