Chair, Pierce County Board of Health

Public health departments throughout Wisconsin are charged with taking “reasonable and necessary” steps to prevent the spread of disease in times of pandemic. Pierce County’s Public Health Department (PCPH) is doing great work in containing the spread of Covid-19 by establishing partnerships with schools, health agencies, businesses, and other organizations. Throughout this pandemic PCPH has promoted and achieved cooperation with following guidelines, safe school and business operations, and a general sense of “best case scenario” for our citizens. For example: Following Covid-19 guidelines: PCPH has operated on the general principle that information rather than directive is the first and best option to ensure the adoption of public health guidelines. They have continually and carefully updated advice to residents, based on the reported levels of transmission in the county. You can access the latest recommendations on this website: https://covid-piercecounty- wi.hub.arcgis.com. Pierce County is one of a very few in Wisconsin to not currently reach “red” (highest) rate of transmission.

Education: All school districts in Pierce County have been provided with a “Toolkit for Reopening Schools.” This detailed document offers advice to school boards and administrators on how to most effectively contain the spread of the virus, while keeping schools in session. PCPH’s administrative team have been in frequent and regular contact with all school districts and UWRF. Their purpose is to monitor and advise on testing, outbreaks and quarantine, while individual school districts maintain policy-making authority.

Businesses: The “Business Toolkit” is filled with information on how to keep businesses safely operating (available at [email protected] co.pierce.wi.us). The document recommends ways to keep employees and customers as safe as possible, policy for sick employees, procedures on quarantine and isolation, and much more. PCPH has been in close contact with business owners, offering specific recommendations for handling positive cases. PCPH administrators’ relationships with business owners have yielded almost 100% cooperation on best control and containment procedures. Local businessman, Steve Leitch, said this about Pierce County Health Officer, AZ Snyder: “She is a rock star as our Public Health Officer. I’ve heard her speak at meetings at 7 am and 7 pm . . . . She’s great at presenting information clearly and intelligently.”

Mental Stress: Limits on the size of public gatherings, isolation, and quarantine are among the most unsettling aspects for the infected, business owners, churches and organizations. When there is a positive case, the infected and exposed don’t want to hear the news. But health workers have to enforce isolation and quarantine—which are the most effective, “reasonable and necessary,” measures available to control spread. PCPH health workers have all been working overtime, contacting their new clients with patience and respect, treating each case as a personal responsibility and an opportunity to achieve cooperation and peace of mind.

Public Health Departments are the optimal balance between “government overreach” and “lack of government leadership.” They are doing their best to keep the pandemic in check, while at the same time allowing people to live out the best possible lives under current conditions. Pierce County Public Health is striking that balance perfectly. They deserve our wholehearted support.

To Health Workers in this crisis:

You seem to have strength in reserve Though the pitch you’ve been thrown is a curve If you get what you merit You each would inherit All the wealth and the thanks you deserve!

As you’re fighting your way through this crisis That never lets up on surprises We hope that your tank Never runs out of strength And your clients are all of the nicest!

Our Public Health workers outshine All others when life’s on the line; They’ll work till they drop Even then they won’t stop Until every last soul’s feeling fine. When the call came for help, nurses led it Even though, as stats rise, they may dread it, But they do what is best For the sick with no rest They deserve endless heavenly credit!