To respond to the
daily public health needs of Louisianans, the Louisiana Department of Health
has divided the state into nine regions. Each of these regions is led by a
regional medical director (RMD) or administrator who oversees the parish health
units in their region. These public health leaders are in constant contact with
state health officials and local leaders to help guide Louisianans through the
COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among key demographics.
In this Q&A blog
series, these public health leaders will be answering the same questions, and
together they will paint a statewide perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic and
their communities’ response. Today, you’ll hear from Region 8’s Jeff Toms,
Regional Administrator for the parishes of Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin,
Lincoln, Jackson, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union and
West Carroll.
People have been
hearing about the importance of testing so most of the questions I have been getting
are about that: Who needs to get tested? Do I need to get tested? How much does
it cost to get a test? Where can I get a test? Someone I work with tested
positive — what do I need to do?
Relatedly, another question
is about the guidance on self-quarantining and when they can return to work
after staying at home.
I do not feel that
people fully understand the importance of wearing a mask or social distancing.
I hear many people say there are conflicting messages about wearing a mask and
the effectiveness of masks. They say they hear different things, even from
respectable organizations and trusted leaders.
This is concerning
because there really needs to be a consistent message from leaders, whether in
public health, business or at the local or state level — study after study
shows wearing a mask, especially when done while staying 6 feet away from
others and washing your hands often, works.
Personally, I am
seeing a decline in both the wearing of masks and in practicing social
distancing. It seems there was a drop in following these public health recommendations as restrictions were eased and people began
to go out in public.
In the places where
people are going more often, they do not seem to be as concerned now, compared
to their behavior a month ago, about using a mask or keeping their distance
from others.
People either do not
know the guidelines, are forgetting to follow the guidelines or are ignoring
the guidance altogether. Another challenge is businesses not having the
supplies they need, such as masks and gloves, to provide to their employees and
to the public.
Businesses want to
accommodate the public, but do so while maintaining social distancing in their
businesses, shops and restaurants. This is a challenge as they attempt to operate
successfully and safely.
This new normal is
frustrating people, based on what I am seeing. The new normal varies for
different people and groups. For example, families of a nursing home resident
have a different normal than someone who is frustrated because they are missing
going to a sporting event. Many of us get frustrated when we can’t express
friendliness through a handshake or a hug. And, almost everyone is having to
adjust to wearing a mask.
Even though it seems
many people are frustrated, it also is encouraging seeing so many people who
are doing their part to try to slow the spread of this virus.
There are too many
stories to share. I don’t do social media but my wife does — so during this
time I have frequented her Facebook page to read all the encouraging stories of
our health heroes in our community. At the same time, there are many, many
other stories of people and families who are struggling because of the drastic
changes in their lives brought on by this virus.
I have been so
encouraged by the teamwork and partnerships I have seen in this response. So
many of our community partners have joined together for this effort.
These partners
include the hospitals, clinics, community health centers, nursing homes, parish
governments, emergency response agencies at the local and state level, local and
state officials, the National Guard, area businesses and so many more who are
working together in an inspiring way.
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