Dunn County public health director: “Take a deep breath and hold onto calm.”
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By LeAnn R. Ralph
MENOMONIE — KT Gallagher, Dunn County director of public health, had some words of advice for the Dunn County Board of Supervisors: “Take a deep breath and hold onto calm.”
Gallagher spoke to the Dunn County Board at the regular monthly meeting March 18 to give an update on what her department has been doing to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gallagher noted she has been working closely with law enforcement, emergency management, companies such as 3M, as well as Mayo Clinic.
“We are here to support the community,” she said.
Earlier in the meeting, Paul Miller, Dunn County manager, had described the recent developments with the federal government, the governor of Wisconsin declaring a state of public health emergency and preparations on the county level as “All COVID — all the time.”
Gallagher said in recent days she had been feeling as if everything she does also is “All COVID — all the time.”
The governor has issued three executive orders in five days about mass gatherings, she noted.
“I am asking for your patience and to keep calm,” Gallagher said.
In stressful times, people can more easily succumb to fear and anxiety, she said.
“Take a deep breath and hold onto calm. This is hard. Be calm,” Gallagher said.
The governor has now issued an order to keep mass gatherings to 10 people or fewer, although there are exemptions, such as government offices, she said.
“We are trying to get people to STAY HOME,” Gallagher said.
The afternoon of March 18, another order had come through from the state Department of Health Services limiting daycare centers to 50 children and 10 staff members.
Gallagher asked that county residents prioritize daycare for their children.
Health care workers and first responders could soon be working overtime and will need childcare, so anyone who has children in a daycare setting should consider taking them out of daycare to free up space for the children of healthcare workers and first responders, she said.
Testing
Gallagher is asking county residents to prioritize testing for COVID-19, too.
If someone tests negative today with no known exposure to the virus and then does become exposed to the novel coronavirus, the first test will have been a wasted resource, Gallagher said.
Guidelines from the state hygiene are to test people for the virus who are high risk for being exposed and have symptoms. Medical providers also should be prioritized for testing, she said.
If anyone really wants to be tested, he or she could go through a private laboratory, Gallagher said.
“We must fight fear with calm and facts,” she said.
If there is no reason for someone to be tested, “leave the resource for others who need it,” Gallagher said.
Right now, the county health department is working on building capacity for community-wide testing, she noted.
And by all means, if someone comes in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and then develops symptoms — get tested, Gallagher said.
The goal now is to “flatten the curve” on the rise of new COVID-19 infections so the healthcare system does not become overwhelmed and can meet the demand for treating people who need treatment, she said.
Gallagher also recommended canceling any elective medical procedures for right now.
Anyone who plans to go to a healthcare facility to be tested for COVID-19 is asked to call ahead.
Hygiene
One way to decrease the transmission of COVID-19 is to practice good hand hygiene — and wash your hands frequently during the day for at least 20 seconds, and be sure to use soap, Gallagher said, adding that if you do not use soap, you are not washing your hands.
Another helpful habit is to limit what you are touching. Use a clean tissue or your sleeve on a handle to open a door, she said.
Cough into your sleeve and do not cough into your hand. If you cough into your hand, you will leave thousands of viral particles on everything you touch, Gallagher said.
Practice social distancing and stay six feet away from other people. If you work in an office setting, stay six feet away to keep your co-workers and other members of the community safe, she said.
And “be kind,” Gallagher said.
Many people are out of work right now, such as waitresses, bartenders and travel agents, she noted.
And when you go shopping, “if you don’t need it, leave it for someone else,” Gallagher said.
People can also help by checking in on their neighbors. A simple telephone call will help those who are feeling isolated in their homes, she said.
“All COVID — all the time is stressful. Take a break … build resiliency,” Gallagher said, adding that people could do things like go for a walk or pet their dog to help take their minds off the situation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Dunn County Health Department all have resources and information on their websites about COVID-19, and people should check those resources for the most up-to-date information, Gallagher said.
Fever
Larry Bjork, county board supervisor from Menomonie, asked about screening people for fever with the forehead “swipe” thermometers.
If someone feels sick, that person should stay home. Other counties are screening people when they walk in the door, “but I’m not there yet,” Gallagher said.
A person could have a low-grade fever of 100.4 Fahrenheit but be so busy with other activities, that he or she does not notice the fever. When you wake up in the morning, “check in with yourself” to see how you are feeling, she said.
If you have a fever, shortness of breath, a sore throat and a headache, stay home, Gallagher said.
“You don’t want to risk putting others at risk … know your own health,” she said.
The situation has been changing rapidly, sometimes hour by hour, and Dunn County may have to “up the protocol,” said Miller, the Dunn County manager.
