April 2, 2020 at 5:01 p.m.
Virus was here long before Tuesday
Editorial
Virus was here long before Tuesday
Everyone, take a deep breath.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Settle down.
We reported Tuesday evening the first case of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Jay County.
The initial reaction from many on social media — Facebook is rarely the place to go for rational thought — was outrage that Jay County Health Department was not releasing the name of the patient who tested positive.
Most thought they should know the name so they could make sure they had not been in contact with the individual and take precautions if they had.
Some seemed to want to blame the patient for bringing COVID-19 to the county.
Let’s hit a few points:
First, medical service providers are not permitted to share such information. HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects medical records and other personal health information. This is the same law that prevents your health care provider from telling the world your medical information without your permission.
Second, the health department is working with the help of the patient and their healthcare provider to notify those who the patient has been in close contact with. Yes, there’s no way to reach everyone, but those who spend the most time around the patient will be informed. And they are free to pass on the information.
Third, the patient who tested positive could very well have done nothing wrong. No matter how diligent we are, diseases spread. This individual deserves no sort of ridicule or vitriol. (The phrase “do unto others” comes to mind.)
Finally, coronavirus was in Jay County long before Tuesday. Yes, that’s when the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was announced. But Adams County had its first case more than three weeks earlier. Wells, Delaware, Randolph, Mercer and Darke counties all had confirmed cases.
It would have been silly to think the virus was in all of those places but not here. Of course it was. It had simply not been confirmed.
That brings up an important point, one we try to reiterate in our news stories on this topic. Testing is still limited. The numbers reported every day by the Indiana State Department of Health represent the cases we know about. Health officials continue to indicate the actual numbers are likely much higher.
The point is, it doesn’t matter who specifically has tested positive for COVID-19. The precautions you should take are the same precautions we all should have been taking for several weeks.
Limit social contact.
Wash your hands.
Avoid touching your face.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms — fever, cough, shortness of breath — contact your healthcare provider and isolate yourself.
In the meantime, take a deep breath.
COVID-19 is officially here. We knew it would be.
There’s no need to panic.
Cautious and calm
Prepared but not paralyzed.
We will get through this. — R.C.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Settle down.
We reported Tuesday evening the first case of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Jay County.
The initial reaction from many on social media — Facebook is rarely the place to go for rational thought — was outrage that Jay County Health Department was not releasing the name of the patient who tested positive.
Most thought they should know the name so they could make sure they had not been in contact with the individual and take precautions if they had.
Some seemed to want to blame the patient for bringing COVID-19 to the county.
Let’s hit a few points:
First, medical service providers are not permitted to share such information. HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects medical records and other personal health information. This is the same law that prevents your health care provider from telling the world your medical information without your permission.
Second, the health department is working with the help of the patient and their healthcare provider to notify those who the patient has been in close contact with. Yes, there’s no way to reach everyone, but those who spend the most time around the patient will be informed. And they are free to pass on the information.
Third, the patient who tested positive could very well have done nothing wrong. No matter how diligent we are, diseases spread. This individual deserves no sort of ridicule or vitriol. (The phrase “do unto others” comes to mind.)
Finally, coronavirus was in Jay County long before Tuesday. Yes, that’s when the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was announced. But Adams County had its first case more than three weeks earlier. Wells, Delaware, Randolph, Mercer and Darke counties all had confirmed cases.
It would have been silly to think the virus was in all of those places but not here. Of course it was. It had simply not been confirmed.
That brings up an important point, one we try to reiterate in our news stories on this topic. Testing is still limited. The numbers reported every day by the Indiana State Department of Health represent the cases we know about. Health officials continue to indicate the actual numbers are likely much higher.
The point is, it doesn’t matter who specifically has tested positive for COVID-19. The precautions you should take are the same precautions we all should have been taking for several weeks.
Limit social contact.
Wash your hands.
Avoid touching your face.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms — fever, cough, shortness of breath — contact your healthcare provider and isolate yourself.
In the meantime, take a deep breath.
COVID-19 is officially here. We knew it would be.
There’s no need to panic.
Cautious and calm
Prepared but not paralyzed.
We will get through this. — R.C.
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