When Oceana County became a hot spot for coronavirus in June, public health officials pointed to the big reason: outbreaks at five farms and manufacturing facilities.
Health officials declined to name the businesses, a position that was rejected at an online city hall on June 29. Residents noted that the Grand Traverse Health Department had just released the names of eight bars and vineyards visited by a group whose members later tested positive for COVID-19.
Popular Traverse City wineries, restaurants on possible COVID-19 show list
The Traverse City exposure was a “unique situation,” replied Dr. Jennifer Morse, chief medical officer for District 10 Health Department, which covers Oceana and nine other counties in northern Michigan. “There was a great party of people; they spent a lot of time in different bars ”and had prolonged contact with various strangers in those establishments.
Because the group was unable to identify all of the people they were mingling with during the three-day trip, the Grand Traverse Health Department released a press release to alert the public and help locate potentially exposed people, Morse explained.
In comparison, the Oceana County outbreaks involved private businesses that were not open to the public, and officials were able to identify those with high-risk exposure, defined as face-to-face interaction with a positive COVID person for at least 10 minutes and within six foot unmasked.
“If I was a COVID-positive person and were out shopping, unless I stopped to have a lot of face-to-face conversations with someone, it is not considered a high-risk situation” in terms of exposing others to the virus, Morse said.
There is no point in notifying people about low-risk exposures because people should always assume that such exposure is possible, said Jeannine Taylor, public information officer for the District Health Department.
“It is very possible that the person just before you at the gas station was asymptomatic, and no one knows it,” said Taylor. “Therefore, it is important that we all follow the guidelines of masking and washing our hands, all those necessary steps to avoid it.”
That June 29 conversation in Oceana County is occurring statewide, a public health department assesses concerns about exposure to the coronavirus versus potential harm to companies identified as potential exposure sites.
“My colleagues were just bouncing around on that today,” when a public announcement is appropriate, said Linda Vail, public health officer for the Ingham County Health Department.
Vail made national headlines when he publicized an outbreak at Harper’s Bar in East Lansing, one that was eventually linked to more than 180 cases of coronavirus, making it one of the nation’s largest superpass events.
The coronavirus outbreak of more than 180 cases stemming from Harper’s Bar was a “rude awakening,” says owner.
Vail also publicized an outbreak at a Lansing veterinary clinic. “There were several days of exposure, so he received a public announcement,” he said.
But for the most part, Vail said, he is resisting calls to post a list of places linked to coronavirus cases.
“If we can adequately track contacts and reach the people we need to reach, there is no need for a public announcement,” he said.
That’s particularly true because, often, when the coronavirus case is confirmed, the danger to others has passed: the infected have isolated themselves and the business has undergone a thorough cleaning, so there is no need for public concern. in the future.
“We are not going to go into scarlet letter mode” to publish names of companies linked to the coronavirus when there is no need to do so, Vail said.
The top priority is to identify people whose exposure puts them at increased risk of contracting the virus, agreed Lisa Peacock, public health officer for the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and the Northwest Michigan Department of Health, which includes Otsego, Emmet, Charlevoix. and Antrim counties.
He released a press release about a July 4 party at Torch Lake that drew hundreds because “those who tested positive were unable to identify all those with whom they had close contact.”
“So there really is no other option in that situation than to make a public announcement,” Peacock said.
Several people at the massive July 4 party at Torch Lake have tested positive for coronavirus
In some cases, he said, companies are posting public announcements about an outbreak to explain why they are temporarily closing and the steps they are taking to address the situation.
In those cases, “we are happy to support you,” Peacock. “But we don’t want to do any unnecessary harm to your business when it’s not necessary for public health reasons.”
Adam London, health officer for the Kent County Health Department, says his agency does not have a policy, but, like other counties, “we will share information if we believe there is public health value in doing so.”
“We asked ourselves, does this information give people actionable information that would reduce their risk of disease?” London said in an email. “In our current situation, the level of transmission across the community greatly dilutes the value of identifying potential exposure sites. People must assume that if they go out and meet other people, they have a good chance of being exposed. ”
Gillian Conrad, a spokeswoman for the Berrien County Health Department, said her agency has a similar policy: They will publicly name companies only if they cannot identify people at high risk of exposure.
“We quickly got to the point of community transmission,” which meant that people who tested positive for coronavirus had been in public places like shops and restaurants, Conrad said.
Making a public list of those companies “would not only be stigmatizing for that particular establishment and very damaging to its ongoing business operations, but it also gives people a false sense of security,” Conrad said.
“We want to shape the narrative that risk is everywhere in our community,” he said. “Every time you leave your house and interact with other human beings, you run the risk of contracting this virus. It doesn’t matter if you avoid Meijer or Wendy’s or where the last case was identified.
“Calling a particular place just doesn’t make sense,” particularly when any business could have employees or customers who are asymptomatic carriers and never identify themselves, Conrad said. “It doesn’t adequately represent risk in both directions, where there is high risk and where there may be less risk.”
COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing their hands regularly and not touching their faces, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone can carry the virus.
Health officials say you should stay at least 6 feet away from others and work from home, if possible.
Use sanitizing wipes or sanitizing spray cleaners on frequently touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer when you go to places like stores.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also issued an executive order requiring people to cover their faces and noses while inside closed public spaces.
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