Phillips County Health Nurse asks to cut down on direct contact

Regarding social visiting...I know some of you parents and caregivers are struggling. Kids are wanting to get together. Adults want to get together. I have also wanted to get together with our friends, keeping it at 10 or less, but I haven't. I wasn't totally in favor of schools shutting down when they did because of these particular challenges but when they did, I cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to just stay away from each other as much as possible. I did feel we needed to shut as much down at the same time in order for this to work. We are already down this path of restaurants and bars closing as of Friday and other states are having total shutdowns. Our Montana Nurses Association is pleading for this to happen in Montana as well. They have reached out to Governor Bullock regarding this.

When we have a positive case in Phillips County, I will have to get a list of that individual's DIRECT contacts. I'm sure it'seasy to see how if you stay home, your direct contact list could be four people or much more if you are an adult who is going to work, having to get groceries, etc.

Just because you are keeping your individual gatherings to 10 or less, your direct contact list could be 100 if it is a different set of 10 people each time. It is going to be a lot easier to deal with four direct contacts than 100. The likelihood of another positive case coming out of 100 direct contacts vs. four is obvious. I know this is an extreme example. I have to mandate a quarantine to all DIRECT CONTACTS (not to be confused with isolation which is what most of you are doing right now.) I will follow up with these individuals daily to make sure they don't have a fever, etc., and make sure they are following their mandated quarantine.

I'm not telling you this to make my life easier. If everyone cuts down on direct contacts, it will slow the spread and make it easier for our healthcare facility to handle.

I know a lot of parents are having to be the bad guy right now. Make me the bad guy! I don't mind. My kids are younger, so I realize it’s easier for me to keep a thumb on mine. Social isolation isn't good for most people's mental health. These are challenging times for every single one of us. Get outside as much as you can...it was beautiful yesterday.

Editor's Note. The Phillips County Hospital and Family Clinic supports the Phillips County Health Nurse's recommendation on social distancing.