Dear Editor: COVID-19 & Health Department

Dear Editor:

The staff at the Jefferson County Health Clinic is small and, for almost a year now, they have been overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of concern for others, they frequently work nights and weekends, without extra pay, to help keep our county healthy. Many people do not realize all the phone calls, paperwork, and data that goes into each new case. They did not ask for this burden, yet they have valiantly continued.

Now they are also burdened with scheduling and giving vaccines for the people of the County. This has added much more to their workload.

What they do not need now is a surge in COVID-19 cases. They simply do not have sufficient resources to handle more COVID cases and administer vaccines. Hence, they have made masks mandatory for Jefferson County to prevent new infections. COVID is an airborne virus, spread through the mouth and nose.

I am sure this was not an easy decision and is not an attempt to “control” people. It is simply a piece of cloth and a matter of absolute necessity right now. And, it is only temporary.

I would ask those who are in disagreement to think of others over themselves and help us get past this pandemic.

Kind regards,

- Name withheld by request

Volunteer, Jefferson County Health Clinic