The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened both awareness and scrutiny of the field of public health. Public health professionals have been tasked with responding to the virus in a highly politically charged environment, while also continuing to provide regular programs and services in the challenging circumstances of a pandemic. As a county health department Community Coalition Coordinator explained:
Our health department is handling all things COVID for the county—testing; providing guidance to schools, businesses, employers, agencies, health care providers and the public; investigating and enforcing of state regulations; contact tracing; providing lab results to EVERY single person who takes a COVID test; arranging and providing a multiplicity of testing events that change weekly to meet the current need; and monitoring and assisting people placed in quarantine/isolation to make certain they have what they need and do not violate the order. We also provide shelter and housing and food for people who have no safe place to quarantine or isolate. As employees of the health department we are considered first responders and throughout this crisis are constantly being pulled away from our regular work. I have so much work to do and so very little time. Just because COVID-19 came to town does not mean all of the other health problems went away.
In this new photo blog, Portraits of Public Health, the Region IV Public Health Training Center seeks to highlight and appreciate the folks who have been and continue to do the hard work of public health. To nominate a public health professional to be included, please use this form. Priority will be given to nominees from Region IV.
