Ta Ni

Memorial by James R.

In his words, “one of many friends” of Ta Ni

Today I would like to speak the name of Ta Ni. It is often said that speaking the name of a dearly departed one gives power to their memory and spirit.

Ta is the family name of this friend of ours, here at Tucson Complex in Arizona. Ni was his given name. Ni was a certified HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) technician and electrician, one of the myriad laborers at this complex, without whose hard work and dedication this system would collapse overnight. Ni is well remembered by the coworkers and crews of maintenance at Tucson. Ni is also remembered by the men that he has shared the daily toils and dramas of life with for the last seventeen years of Ni's existence. Ni was known to be absolutely trustworthy and honest, and never regretted sharing any of his simple possessions with the men around him in our microworld of existence here. Ni has the highest accolade a man can carry here. His word was his bond.

Ni had only three more years of living amongst us here in Tucson. One can honestly say that the debt Ni owed to society had already been paid back with interest many years ago and Ni was only biding his time until leaving us permanently. Ni's passing three months ago will be one of many in this system where officials first failed to provide adequate and timely medical care, further frustrated by a system that strives to exist in complete denial that Covid-19 even exists within our lives.

Ta Ni died a very horrible death and it was covered up. They knew he had Covid and brought him here to the isolation runs. There’s only supposed to be suspected cases here, ‘cause all the medical attention you get is a nurse taking your temperature once a day. Most of the time it was just asking you if you had a temperature and completely ignoring asymptomatics. Nursing is only here six to six. He was complaining about not being able to breathe for two days… no temperature… so they brought him to this unit…

He complained about extremely difficult and labored breathing and respiratory distress to security. I've spoken to the officer and have known him for years. Medical treated him like a malingerer. They said they would check him in the morning. Medical went home. One hour later, during a security walk, the officer found him on the floor. Respiratory distress had turned into cardiac arrest.

The officer had notified complex medical (who refused to come into a Covid contaminated area… they called Tucson city paramedics… right outside the prison gate… 800 meters away).

In the meantime, the officer, an army veteran, was performing CPR on Ni. This was continued for 42 minutes… the time it took the paramedics to clear security. The officer said he was sure he broke two or three ribs while performing CPR on Ni. The paramedics could only confirm what the officer knew… Ni had flatlined and was not responsive. Now there was a test that was positive for Covid. It’s disappeared. ADOC still maintains this wasn't a Covid death. 

Ni's cause of death will be recorded as coronary distress: a medical complaint that occurs when one's lungs are filled with viruses and no longer can exchange sufficient oxygen. Ni came from the country of Burma. He leaves no immediate family here that would lay claim to his mortal remains. 

Ta Ni… We say your name. The power and spirit of you will remain alive in our lives and memories until the day that society decides not to abandon such men as Ta Ni.

Since this memorial was written, Arizona-based journalist Jimmy Jenkins was able to confirm with the Arizona Department of Corrections that Ta Ni’s death was caused at least in part by COVID-19.