Eric McDavid - Day 6 of Hunger Strike - Your Help Needed!

As Eric enters day 6 of his hunger strike we wanted to give the latest news on his health and the response from the jail.

Yesterday Eric requested to see the nurse because his kidneys hurt and his right tonsil was inflamed and bleeding. He was seen by the nurse today but they refused to examine his kidneys or his tonsils. They just took his vitals. He is 152 pounds, which means he has lost 8 pounds since Friday. Last Friday Eric sent a message to the Dr. asking what would be the effect of taking the steriods they wanted to give him for his pericarditis if he wasn't eating. Today he received the utterly confusing response that he never had pericarditis so they would have no effect. Obviously, this does not explain whether or not it is safe to take these drugs while hunger striking.

We have a report that the direct line for Captain Scott Jones is 916-874-5428. He is the main jail commander and decides whether or not Eric gets fed and what policies should be in place for feeding other vegan prisoners. You may want to mention to him that states such as Florida have chosen to offer vegan meals as the special meal in all of their prisons. The jail has provided Eric with vegan food before and can do it again. Eric is hunger striking with the demand that he be given a guarantee of healthy vegan meals and that the jail's policy be changed to provide vegan food for other prisoners that request it.

Apparently the Correctional Health Services Division has been flooded with calls about Eric's case. It appears they are just beginning to be informed about this issue and to take his dire medical situation seriously. A staff person from the Correctional Health Services Division and a man who identified himself as the Medical Director of UCD Medical Center both
called Eric's mother today and asked her to tell people to stop calling. Eric's mother explained to them what Eric's condition was and why people were concerned. They both said they did not know about Eric's food situation. Be sure to mention the link between Eric's lack of food and his heart condition, as well as his hunger strike if you call them.

Here is the pertinent information for calling the Correctional Health Services Division.

1) Eric's x-reference number: x-2972521 (if they ask, he is housed at the main jail)

2) Eric needs to be given vegan food immediately. His heart condition is almost certainly linked to his atrocious nutritional intake, and until they provide him with healthy food, his heart problem will persist. Because Eric is demanding that they talk to him about changing their policy, it is imperative that they speak with him right away about working on an agreement. You should request to speak with Captain Scott Jones, the jail commander, about these issues.

3) Eric needs to receive an ECG, blood work and an x-ray ASAP. These tests are imperative to determining other possible causes of the pericarditis. Again, until they fully understand what is causing the condition, they will only be treating symptoms.

The phone number to the Correctional Health Services Division is: (916) 875-9782.

You can also email them at: inmatepatientcare [at] saccounty.net.

On Thursday, November 15, at 10am Eric will appear in Judge England's courtroom for the hearing on his motion for a new trial.

Thank you to all those who have been writing and calling the jail, it sounds like we may be finally getting through to them. It is important for them to know that they are being scrutinized and that there are many people that are concerned about Eric and will continue to be concerned until this situation is resolved. Everyday that this continues his health is in jeopardy.

Thank you for your support
SPS