March 10, 2022
Visit Yellowstone Public Radio or Montana Public Radio for a transcript of the episode.
After covid-19 arrived in Park County, Montana, the local health officer, Dr. Laurel Desnick, became the face of pandemic measures and the focus of attention as never before. She’s been whispered about at the grocery store, yelled at on her way home, and called a tyrant.
She and other public health workers say they feel that they’re living in a fishbowl and that everything they say will be scrutinized. “It almost sort of feels like you’re being watched,” Desnick said. “It’s not a good feeling.”
Her work once felt straightforward: to make research-based recommendations backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts. But the process has become skewed in public debates with people who don’t trust those baselines, she said. Public health workers across Montana have said they now uncomfortably accept that the perfect pandemic endgame isn’t going to happen.
“I can’t make anybody do anything,” said Sue Good, the top health official in McCone County, Montana. “Everybody knows what covid is. … If they choose to not follow the recommendations and the guidance, that’s their problem. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it anymore.”
KHN Montana correspondent Katheryn Houghton spoke with these and other public health workers who said they’re tired of picking fights they feel they can’t win. Montana Free Press reporter Alex Sakariassen dove into how that conflict has played out in one rural — and fiercely independent — county in the southwestern corner of the state.
In Episode 4 of “Shared State,” the journalists explore how in the era of covid debates about public health, personal liberties, and science have reached a fever pitch. Those disagreements are tugging at tightknit towns and counties, making some residents wonder how their communities will survive.
“Shared State” is a co-production of Montana Free Press, Yellowstone Public Radio, and Montana Public Radio. This season shares stories about Montanans working through political quagmires.
Visit Yellowstone Public Radio or Montana Public Radio for a transcript of episode 4.
KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
Subscribe to KHN’s free Morning Briefing.
—
This post was previously published on KHN.ORG.
***
You Might Also Like These From The Good Men Project
You Said ‘Race’, but Are You Actually Talking About Race? 
Understanding the Nonbinary: Are You Confusing Gender With Sex? 
The Difference Between Compassion for Those With Disabilities & Ableism? 
‘Masculinity’ Is Having an Identity Crisis Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Log in if you wish to renew an existing subscription.
Username
First Name
Last Name
Password
Password Again
Choose your subscription level
- Yearly - $50.00 - 1 Year
- Monthly - $6.99 - 1 Month
Credit / Debit Card PayPal Choose Your Payment Method
Auto Renew
Subscribe to The Good Men Project Daily Newsletter By completing this registration form, you are also agreeing to our Terms of Service which can be found here.Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
—
Photo credit: Shutterstock
The post Two Years In, COVID Leaves Montana Public Health Officials Feeling ‘Watched’ appeared first on The Good Men Project.
Original Article
