So it’s pretty clear at this point that we’re fucked, right? That there’s no way out of this? That there are people who care about this and people who absolutely do not care about this? That, thanks to the people who absolutely do not care about this, it’s impossible to do anything to turn this thing around? That all we’re left with are businesses fending for themselves, a president who is telling people to just Google it, and health officials who can only issue a public health advisory? Right? Okay. Got it.
Anyway, 11 Milwaukee-area health officials issued a public health advisory today, “calling on community members to do their part and take urgent action to prevent additional hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19.” Here’s the advisory, followed by a list of the health officials who support it:
Vaccination is the most important prevention strategy for those currently eligible
• Vaccination provides protection against COVID-19 and new variants, and has been proven to be most effective at preventing hospitalization and death.
• The current definition of vaccinated includes completion of the primary vaccination series for those eligible for vaccination (5+ years).
• Currently the booster vaccine is recommended to provide optimal protection.
• In the future, the definition may include both the completion of the primary vaccination series + booster.
Layers of Protection are recommended
• Masks are universally recommended to be worn indoors
• Masks continue to provide reduced viral transmission and provide protection to the wearer and those around them.
• While any mask provides protection, we recommend the use of a high quality, well-fitting mask
• Additional layers of protection include physical distancing, handwashing, cleaning, and disinfection.
Stay home and get tested if you are sick
• Stay home and monitor your health until you receive your test results.
• Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get tested or medical care. Do not visit work, school or public areas.
Isolation of positive cases is key to prevent disease transmission
• If a person tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, they should:
• Stay home for at least five (5) days.
• If there are no symptoms or symptoms are resolving after five (5) days, they can leave their house but should continue to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask when around others for five (5) additional days.
• If symptoms are not resolving after five (5) days, they should remain home in isolation until symptoms begin to resolve
• Consistent with other communicable diseases, a person should be fever-free for twenty-four (24) hours without the use of medication.
Quarantine of close contacts remains a necessary and important step to control disease
• Persons who are boosted, or are within six (6) months of completion of primary series of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the past two (2) months) should:
• Wear a mask when around others for ten (10) days.
• Test on day 5, if possible.
• If you develop symptoms, STAY HOME and get a test.
• Persons who completed the primary series for Moderna or Pfizer vaccines more than six 6 months ago, or received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two (2) months ago, or are unvaccinated should:
• Stay home for five (5) days. After that, continue to wear a mask when around others for five (5) additional days.
• Test on day 5, if possible.
• If you develop symptoms, STAY HOME and get a test.
The local health officials supporting this advisory include:
City of Cudahy – Heather Puente, MPH
City of Franklin – Courtney Day, BSN, RN
City of Greenfield – Darren Rausch, MS, CPH
City of Milwaukee – Kirsten Johnson, MPH, CPH, CHES
City of Oak Creek – Darcy DuBois, MPH
City of Wauwatosa – Laura Stephens, MPH
North Shore (Bayside, Brown Deer, Fox Point, Glendale, River Hills, Shorewood, and Whitefish
Bay) – Kathleen Platt, BSN, RN
South Milwaukee/St. Francis – Jackie Ove, MS, BSN, RN
Village of Greendale– Ashely Haas, BSN, RN
Village of Hales Corners – Shawna Gabriel, BSN, RN
West Allis/West Milwaukee – Robert Leischow, MPH
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