9/5/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Rate Status Update, School Funding Threats, OCHD Local Funding Threat

Description: 9/5/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Rate Status Update, School Funding Threats, OCHD Local Funding Threat, Public Health Recommendations/Requirements, Adversus solem ne loquitor.

 THIS IS A FLUID SITUATION.  INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT.

The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Sunday 9/5/2021 at 4:07 p.m.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

9/5/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1:  Rate Status Update, School Funding Threats, OCHD Local Funding Threat, Public Health Recommendations/Requirements, Adversus solem ne loquitor

Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.

Internet links:  Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active.  However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow.  You may have to search around a bit.

1.      Current Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Rate Status

ü  One Week Cumulative Incidence Rate (per 100,000) Ranges

§ Green Level:  0-35

§ Blue Level:  36-100

§ Yellow Level:  101-300

§ Orange Level:  301-500

§ Red Level:  501+

ü  COVID-19 Dashboard:  COVID-19 dial dashboard | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

§ Important Note:  As of the time of this writing, the rates I give below do not match the rates on the website link above.  This is because the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has not yet updated that public-facing website. The information I give below is the most currently available. 

ü  Crowley County:  Our rate in Crowley has us in Yellow Level with a 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 182.36 (for the data period 8/28/2021-9/3/2021).  Through and including 9/3/2021, Crowley currently has a 7-day average of 1.571 cases.  This can be compared to our last surge which had a peak 7-day average of 2.714 cases on 5/3/2021.  This can also be compared to our largest pre-vaccination surge which had a peak 7-day average of 8.714 cases on 12/3/2020.  When the data becomes available to me on Tuesday, 9/7/2021, I will confirm whether or not the Crowley data excludes inmates. 

ü  Otero County:  Our rate in Otero has us in Yellow Level with a current 1 week cumulative incidence rate of 224.28 (for the data period of 8/28/2021-9/3/2021).  Through and including 9/3/2021, Otero currently has a 7-day average of 5.86 cases.  This can be compared to our last surge which had a peak 7-day average of 6.29 cases on 5/3/2021.  This can also be compared to our largest pre-vaccination surge which had a peak 7-day average of 55.71 cases on 12/3/2020. 

2.      School Funding Threats:  In response to my Community Update of 9/2/2021 which included information regarding potential local public health orders if the situation requires it, I received this very disappointing,  distressing information from one of our school superintendents:  “If a mask mandate is put into place, we will undoubtedly lose student enrollment. If this happens before the all-important October Count, it could be devastating financially to the school districts which in turn affects our ability to provide a quality education. I understand there are serious health concerns; however, I also understand the long term effects on a person's life if they receive a sub-par PK-12 education.”  At the protest on 9/3/2021, I also heard similar sentiments of pulling students out of school because of a local public health mask mandate.  While the motives for doing this may vary (i.e. protesting perceived government power overreach, concerns of carbon monoxide buildup in the masks, concerns of mental health issues regarding mask use, etc.), the effect is still the same:  Loss of critical funding to our local schools.  Make no mistake, this weighs very heavily on my mind.  I am no stranger to the challenges of local governmental budgets.  To briefly share a couple of my experiences, right before I was hired there were 2 major issues facing OCHD, and they were both financial.  Medicaid was requiring OCHD to refund money to them (at a time when OCHD’s financial situation was not too good), and OCHD was on the path to bankruptcy.  And, truth be told, it was these two financial issues that almost persuaded me not to take this job.  After I took the job, I reviewed the Medicaid case, and I decided to fight the issue in court.  We won the case.  The other issue, bankruptcy, took much more time to turn around.  In fact, one month several years ago we actually went bankrupt, our cash on hand was in the hole to the tune of approximately $1,500.  Our receivables for that year showed me that the dreaded “red ink” would eventually be replaced by the much more appealing “black ink”, and thankfully it was.  So, once again, I am very sensitive to the issue of local government funding.  I want the schools to know that I hear this loudly and clearly, and you have my firm assurance that I will take no action that is not supported by evidence, data, and public health law.  However, if the evidence and data dictate, I will require such Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions, or NPIs, (i.e. masks) as are necessary for the protection of the public’s health pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) 25-1-506(3)(b)(V) and 25-1-509(1)(c). 

3.      OCHD Local Funding Threats:  To be sure, over the course of the last 18 months public health departments (both local and state) have endured a myriad of different threats.  OCHD is no exception.   I have received threats of bodily harm, threats to my job, and threats to our local tax dollar funding.  Regarding threats to our local government funding, a little perspective is in order.  From your local tax dollars, OCHD receives $3.00 per person, per year.  Not $3/day, not $3/week, not even $3/month, we receive $3/person/year.  In a 2 person household, you only pay $6/year of local taxes for your local public health services.  Now, this amount may vary by a few cents either way depending on the most recent census, but only by a few cents.  From a local tax dollar perspective, OCHD is almost entirely self-funded.  Our currently approved 2021 operating budget is $1,844,920.  OCHD’s budgeted 2021 local Crowley/Otero County tax dollar contribution (commonly known as local per capita, Crowley Revenue Line Item #080.330.33710 and Otero Revenue Line Item #080.370.37401) totals $72,690.  So, for our currently approved 2021 budget, local county government per capita tax support is only 3.94% ($72,690/$1,844,920 = .0394, or 3.94%) of our entire budget.  And don’t misunderstand me, I am not complaining at all.  I am very proud of the fact that we have a small impact on our local taxes.  Where does our funding come from?  A dizzying combination of grants, state, and federal funds (typically federal funds passed through the state with CDPHE as the fiscal agent/intermediary).  To keep financially going, we have done a TON of grant writing over the last 20 years!

4.      OCHD Public Health Recommendations

ü  Seriously consider getting fully vaccinated if you have not already done so.

ü  If you are unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated, wear a mask when in public.

ü  Wear an appropriate mask when required to do so, even if you are fully vaccinated. 

ü  Review and follow the prevention guidelines found here:  Prevent the spread of COVID-19 | Colorado COVID-19 Updates 

ü  Perform a symptom check on yourself and your children before going out in public (i.e. work, school, the store, etc.)

a.       COVID-19 symptoms:  Do you have symptoms? | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b.      Stay home if you are sick and, if needed, call your medical provider.

c.       Parents/guardians, do not send your kids to school if they are sick. 

ü  If you need to isolate (because you have tested positive and/or are symptomatic) or quarantine (because you have been exposed but are not symptomatic), here is the guidance:  Isolation & quarantine | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

ü  If you are in a high risk group, take extra precautions.

a.       CDPHE:  People at higher risk for severe illness | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

b.      CDC:  Do I need to Take Extra Precautions Against COVID-19 | CDC

5. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Requirements 

ü  Sixth (6th) Amended Public Health Order (PHO) 20-38 regarding face coverings, school case reporting, hospital reporting, etc.  A copy is attached, and you can find the order online here:  (6th AMENDED PHO 20-38.83121.pdf - Google Drive)

ü  Residential Care Facility (RCF) Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance can be found here: RCF Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance.pdf - Google Drive)

ü  Colorado State Board of Health hospital and health care facilities COVID-19 vaccination requirements can be found online here: 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 - Emergency Rulemaking Adopted Rules.pdf - Google Drive and here:  The Health Facilities Community Blog: Board of Health approves vaccine requirement for staff at health care facilities and hospitals

6. Federal Public Transportation Mask Requirement:  Masking on school buses and other public transportation is required by Federal Order (Order: Wearing of face masks while on conveyances and at transportation hubs | Quarantine | CDC)

7. Adversus solem ne loquitor:  I will conclude this update with the interesting Latin phrase Adversus solem ne loquitor, which conveys the meaning of  “Don’t waste your time arguing the obvious.”  To me, taking necessary, appropriate, science-based, legal steps to combat a pandemic and protect the public’s health is completely and totally obvious.

Richard Ritter, Executive Director

Otero County Health Department

13 West 3rd Street, Room 111

La Junta, Colorado 81050

719-383-3045 (Office)

719-383-3060 (Fax)

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Press Release Attachments

6th AMENDED PHO 20-38

RCF Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance

6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 - Emergency Rulemaking Adopted Rules

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