Just a few points of clarification on Mr. Stevens’ letter to the editor, regarding my own letter the previous week:
Although Mr. Stevens characterizes me as “naive”, I am actually quite well-versed in community health. A Licensed Public Health Nurse with over 30 years experience, my letter was trying to explain the very real consequences of not following our state and local guidelines. These measures were designed to limit and/or slow the spread of COVID-19. They are based on science.
We need to be smart, and follow these measures without inserting our own emotional viewpoints. By claiming that I asked people to “stay away,” Mr. Stevens puts a defensive twist on my words. Read my letter. What I asked people to do was follow the governor’s order and stay home. That means that everyone stays put near their primary residence until the Stay At Home is lifted. This prevents the physical transmission of the virus in public places. We do this to protect ourselves, and also to protect others.
Residents and officials have seen an increase in people coming to Cook County to recreate despite the Stay At Home order. People should not be traveling here. Those who do, need to be prepared to quarantine for 14 days before going out. This is not my opinion. These are state guidelines.
I’d like nothing more than to go out and have a cold beer with friends, to go camping in one of our many state parks, or to go visit family members in other parts of the state or country. Luckily, my personal desires are not what determine official health guidelines. Slow the spread. Stay Home.
Jennifer Schulz, Retired
Public Health Nurse, Grand
Marais, Minnesota
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