Update (9:45 a.m. Thursday): Court administrator Vicki Cox said jury trials will be suspended for Tulsa County through Jan. 11.
"The increase in COVID-19 infections" is cited for the operational change starting Nov. 25 at the Tulsa County Courthouse.
The decision was made late Wednesday to halt the process of bringing jury pools to the downtown courthouse, Cox said.
Officials at the courthouse had responded earlier in the day regarding safety concerns stemming from "an anomaly" with a judge's absence, the layout of the courthouse, a lack of waiting areas and "high-volume dockets."
Cox said Thursday some misdemeanor cases for out-of-custody defendants will be continued to April. Cases involving violence, DUI and domestic assault will proceed as scheduled, though Cox said preliminary hearings in which testimony is heard will also be suspended through Jan. 11.
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The story below published in Thursday's Tulsa World:
Tulsa County officials on Wednesday pledged better enforcement of safety protocols for in-person courthouse business during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic after at least two attorneys made social media posts about a hallway crowded with people awaiting required court appearances.
“I was down there on the first floor for an hour (Tuesday) morning, and I counted when I got into the courtroom,” said defense attorney Jenny Proehl-Day, whose client was one of more than 135 listed on a misdemeanor docket.
“There were 42 people in that tiny courtroom. You can’t social distance in that courtroom. And I was not the only attorney concerned and upset.”
Proehl-Day posted a photo of the first floor hallway to her personal Facebook page, showing fully-occupied benches and numerous people in masks standing near each other outside courtrooms for misdemeanor cases and protective orders.
A similar image from attorney Nathan Milner, which has since been removed from Facebook, had a caption calling the crowd size “unbelievable” and alleged the county was “putting every one of these people and their families in danger.”
Tulsa County Presiding District Judge William LaFortune described the situation as “an anomaly” resulting from a judge being out, meaning another judge had been trying to handle two dockets simultaneously. He also attributed the issue to the layout of the courthouse, a lack of waiting areas besides hallways and “high-volume dockets” — amplified by the county’s ongoing asbestos remediation in the building.
“The sheriff is now monitoring that hallway closer,” LaFortune said Wednesday afternoon. “I believe they removed the sitting benches as well, which is working well as far as people conducting their business and then leaving. Also, all the protocols in the still-in-effect (administrative order) are intended to prevent this from ever happening.
“And since we reopened our protocols have worked well. But even with protocols, a jam-up may occur on rare occasions,” he said. In a comment on Milner’s Facebook post, LaFortune wrote that courtrooms would be reconfigured with CARES Act funds to be larger and carpets would be replaced with new flooring that is easier to disinfect.
Tulsa County communications manager Devin Egan confirmed the first-floor benches shown on social media were removed to increase space as of Wednesday. She also pointed to policies requiring mask use in public areas, capacity limits on elevators, the presence of multiple hand sanitizer stations and signs promoting social distancing.
“The Board of County Commissioners is responsible for the courthouse building as we are the landlord,” Egan said in a statement on the BOCC’s behalf. “However, the BOCC is not responsible for court operations, which include the calling of jurors, scheduling courtrooms and hearings, etc. that bring people into the courthouse for such matters. The Tulsa County District Court and the state are responsible for court operations and those decisions.”
LaFortune, in his response, said the administrative order he signed on courthouse protocols this summer prohibits anyone other than attorneys and court participants from entering the building.
He also highlighted the use of another building for forcible entry and detainer, or eviction, and small claims cases and said some judges have done court proceedings virtually.
But Proehl-Day said the obviously large sizes of in-person court dockets, including the one on which she appeared, should be a signal to reconsider current strategy.
She noted the crowd in her photograph did not include those with courthouse business on the other side of the first floor, such as traffic cases and arraignments.
LaFortune on Wednesday said he has asked to “step up enforcement” of the administrative provision regarding who is allowed in the building and touted the protocols in place as being “excellent.”
However, he said: “Getting all court participants to follow (our protocols) is much more difficult. You can never excise personal responsibility and accountability from this equation.”
“I feel like as time has gone on from when we came back in person and started doing court, it’s definitely a much more relaxed approach,” Proehl-Day said Wednesday of the situation. “I go to surrounding counties and people have their temperatures taken. I think they need to do screening protocols.
“If people are required to come to court and their attorneys are required to come and represent them, we should do what we’re supposed to be doing, especially with (COVID-19 case) numbers surging.”
Video: Gov. Kevin Stitt outlines new COVID-19 guidelines for bars and restaurants.
Gov. Stitt said Nov. 16 that restaurants must keep tables 6 feet apart; bars/restaurants must close at 11 p.m.; and masks will be required at state buildings and worn by state employees
Gallery: COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
