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.
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… Read more »
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,… Read more »
“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… Read more »
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.