Inyo County’s Health and Human Services staff provided their weekly update on COVID cases, with 153 new cases over a six day period. What followed was a wave of public comment berating Health and Human Services staff and urging the County to “think positive thoughts.”
HHS Director Marilyn Mann explained the increases do not include those who have used home tests for the virus. With the surge in cases following the holidays, Anna Scott, HHS assistant director, admitted contact tracing efforts have fallen behind. “We’re asking those who test positive to isolate for five days and notify close contacts.”
In addition, Scott told the board the California Department of Public Health has advised that those who have self-isolated re-test before leaving isolation and mask for five days once coming out of isolation. She also made a strong case for residents to upgrade from cloth masks to surgical, or N95 masks. “There was a drop off in cases,” she said, “because we weren’t testing (through the holidays). We anticipate another jump with testing.”
While the current variant, Omicron, is less severe, Scott explained there will likely be an increase in hospitalizations. “Staff is strained,” she said, “some are testing positive.” In addition, there is limited availability of monoclinic therapy which has proven effective against the Omicron variant.
Early this week, Bishop City Hall and Bishop Tribal offices were closed to the public due to the increase in cases and staffing issues.
Following the staff report, the Board heard the regular COVID commenters who escalated the situation with criticism of Board members and HHS staff. In the future, COVID reports will be included as part of the regular agenda rather than earlier in the meeting schedule following department reports.
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Urban Dictionary word of the day earlier this week:
Toxic Positivity
Toxic Positivity is the belief that, “if you just stay positive, you will overcome any obstacle,” to such a degree that you invalidate natural emotional responses and the person having those feelings.
It’s clearly everywhere right now. Some people only have a slight sore throat, while others are laid out sick in bed, and some will end up in the hospital. Hard to understand why the virus hits some so hard and other’s not so much. But it’s clear that it’s unpredictable and real. So be safe people. Hoping this is the last wave!
Which positive thoughts are we talking about here? #1, Covid is just a mild cold or flu that can’t happen to healthy me, or #2, the shots with masks and washing your hands will make this go away, or #3 everybody will happily use up their vacation days to self-isolate, or, #4 my all time favorite, (drum roll please) ‘we can win the war on this pandemic if we all just come together’?????????????????? I’m so confused. Thank goodness I’ve still got some New Years ‘gifts’ around here so I’m going to go sit on the couch and meditate.
Cheers!
“think positive thoughts.” Positive these folks are causing harm to the community. Like plague rats. Q-anon plague rats.
Perfect example of a ruined news site. It looks like you people trashed this one too. It’s all yours now.
First this is my observations and options, and pardon the slight sarcasm, it’s not about politics, judgement, bashing etc….I’m just being honest and open. Not surprised at this, just go park and watch recess or lunch at the elementary/middle/high school/schools and see the kids gathering unmasked. Why keep having those close contact/contact sports games and proposed field trips to hmm across the United States or wherever else during these Covid times. Oh let’s not forget to go swim in the public community pools without masks of course or anything else that can be done to spread the Covid. Park in the grocery store’s parking lots and watch people going in and coming out without masks or any place else for that matter, except for the hospital or clinics a few other professional place’s. Gosh numbers of cases are high the ones we know about anyway especially after the holidays, really, well wonder why. Vaccinated or not by choice of course people are still getting it and spreading it, little easier on the vaccinated for most when contracted but hey who really knows about it all especially the unreported. No enforcement of wearing the masks in public grocery stores, business, facilities, schools etc….OUTDOORS is ok at schools or in public places around others, where is the logic in that it’s still contagious, could that be it, after all it is a airborne and surface contagious virus that mutates more variants. I understand distance learning can be challenging but better to be learning with challenges then possibly risks of illnesses and or death in the case of Covid. Kids and parents need get tougher and adapt take more responsibility and go into the challenges, no it’s not easy. Businesses can still operate, wear those appropriate masks, wash those hand’s, limit indoor occupancy of patrons, spray that Lysol etc….With the right responsible attitudes, energy and logical mindful conscious behavior, decisions and enforcement of masking etc….it would make a difference in time. Its about the challenges of habit, changes the uncomfortable ones like less social activities/gatherings getting away from our public gatherings, entertainment routines, comfort zones that are important for many, but is it as important as the loss of lives or long term medical challenges that come with Covid for those who survive? I think not but that’s my opinion just like everything else I have included here. I’m not here to argue or be judged or judge I simply see there are possibilities to get through the Covid if all can be willing to work together with acceptance, unselfish, understanding with a goal to fight the Covid not each other. Everyone has rights, feelings, choices so putting differences aside for getting through this pandemic of Covid-19 I hope could come to a reality. Yes I understand the reality of it all, but I can still hope.
Stay strong and safe everyone.
Nobody wants to read that wall of text.
Get a TLDR!
Your right to assume and your opinion, have a good evening.
Hoping all of them are vaccinated or the obits are going to need a lot more space over the next month or so.