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Jury Summons, Covid 19 & Imuran

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/7/2020 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
I live in Michigan and just got a jury summons. It is not until the week of 6/22/2020, but I am sure the virus will still be very active by then. What is the best way to exempt myself from jury duty? I am on Azathioprine (Imuran) which means I am immune suppressed and, of course, I also have ulcerative colitis which would make jury duty a potential nightmare anyway. I am not currently flaring though. The situation is still very frustrating. I have been doing what I can to keep myself safe and not risk exposure to the virus. I just had pneumonia in October and was sick for an entire month, so I know I am especially vulnerable to respiratory viruses while on an immune suppressant.

I cannot believe that the government that should be protecting people that are vulnerable, especially those that are immune compromised and have underlying health conditions, would force them into a situation like this. What is the best way to get excusal from jury service? I believe they do let people excuse themselves for medical reasons, but having dealt with the State of Michigan before I have my doubts they would be reasonable about anything. You think right now they would be concerned about people that are at high risk and vulnerable, but I doubt they've given it much thought. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Posted 5/7/2020 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
I got my GI to write a note saying my UC would make jury service difficult, which was true, as I could not be sure I wouldn't have to run out of the trial room due to urgency multiple times a day. I got excused from jury service three years in a row, with a new note each year.

My jury service form had a place for doctors to provide a justification for missing jury service.

After three years, I guess the county gave up, because I have not been summoned for several years.

I would think that in the middle of a pandemic, being on immune suppressants would be a good reason to be excused.
Posted 5/7/2020 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
I have a very difficult time getting a response from GI doctor and it would probably be very difficult to get a letter from him. Do you think they would accept a letter from my regular doctor (GP)? He is well aware of my condition and the medicine I am on.
Posted 5/7/2020 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, they will accept a note from your GP.
Posted 5/7/2020 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Dr wrote me notes for 33 years-always worked.
Posted 5/7/2020 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
I had my GP write me a note and got excused from any further jury duty — ever! He didn’t even go into detail — just said I had multiple health issues that would make jury duty hard for me to attend. I’m over 65 anyway so that may have helped with the lifetime excuse. 🥴
Posted 5/7/2020 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Your GP has all the info from your GI and knows your susceptibility ...so absolutely request your doc to write you a letter to excuse you from jury duty. The distress would do me in for sure. Keep us updated.

q
Posted 5/8/2020 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
Gads, you definitely have my empathy over this situation! I had served jury duty several times in my younger years; then the county court clerk's office suddenly started summoning me to serve again after I retired. Then my MD's secretary messed up an excuse letter by wording it to cover only the year at hand, instead of requesting a permanent excuse. Finally I got connected by phone to a helpful support staffer at the court clerk's office and explained my situation. It was an older person who understood my issues right away, and advised me to get a corrected copy of MD's letter and mail it directly to her attention. She then followed through to get it processed by that office, which handles reams of paperwork constantly. Dealing with these busy bureaucracies can be a royal pain, but don't let them intimidate you. Since 2009 UC is a protected disability under the ADA law-- so you could contact the nearest CCFA office to back you up on that if the court staff gives you flak over a doctor's excuse. Good luck and take care! / Old Hat (39 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 5/10/2020 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the great advice. My doctor has agreed to write an excuse letter for me. I just hope everything is processed correctly. I will try to keep everyone updated.
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