PLATTE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Community awareness of the Platte County Health Department (PCHD) greatly increased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like other health departments, PCHD issued mandates related to wearing masks, closing businesses, and gathering in groups. These were all intended to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. 

Competing philosophies, however, resulted in considerable controversy. Misinformation was spread and guidelines changed as more was learned about the new virus. The confusion that was created made the situation worse and generated more conflict. It is safe to say there is agreement, however, that the last year has been an incredibly challenging period.

Some who disagreed with the PCHD actions are attempting to take authority away from PCHD entirely, or to transfer the authority to the Platte County Commission. I believe that would be a mistake. Inserting more politics into decisions that impact our health is not the solution.

What we need is for PCHD to issue mandates, orders, and regulations that have a solid foundation in scientific and medical knowledge while also seeking out and considering public input. For example, some orders were appropriately modified last year after public input was considered.

I am seeking election to the PCHD Board of Trustees so I can help ensure decisions that impact our health are based in scientific principles while using a process that considers extensive community impact.

By the way, If you have not done so lately, visit the website of the Platte County Health Department to see all the different ways they contribute to the quality of life in Platte County. While COVID-19 has garnered the most attention recently, control of contagious diseases is only a part of the responsibilities of the PCHD.