On Nov. 24, Coffey County commissioners voted against requesting citizens wear face masks to guard against the spread of COVID-19, per Gov. Laura Kelly’s most recent request.
The commissioners’ decision went against the advice of Coffey County’s health officer, Dr. John Shell, who requested county leaders take a proactive position against the virus.
“My plea is for the community to do more to protect others … when one person wears a mask, it is helpful. When two people wear a mask, it is much more helpful,” Shell is quoted in the Burlington newspaper, the Coffey County Republican.
When a majority of commissioners turned a deaf ear to his pleas, Shell resigned his position, as well as that of medical director for the Coffey County Health Department.
As a health professional, Shell has no doubt talked himself blue in the face about the health consequences of COVID-19 and how as a society we should do all we can to prevent its spread.
To date, 27 county health officials in Kansas have quit their posts since the onset of the pandemic. Like Shell, they are beyond frustrated with how a public health crisis has been turned into a civil liberties argument.
Rather than fight such obstructionism — and worse — health directors are throwing in the towel.
In Reno County, home to Manhattan, Health Director Nick Baldetti resigned due to its hostile political environment, 80-hour work weeks, and threats made to his family, according to a recent story by the Kansas News Service.
“I had the local police watching my house,” Baldetti said. “There was a period of time that I had escorts to and from work.” I had the local police watching my house. There was a period of time that I had escorts to and from work.Ren County Health Director Nick Baldetti
Gianfranco Pezzino, health officer for Shawnee County Health Department, said nine months of battling county commissioners over how to contain the virus has worn him out.
“I’m tired emotionally, I’m tired physically,” Pezzino said. “I don’t think I have the energy … to do another year like this.”
Fredonia’s Jennifer McKenney, health officer for Wilson County, told the News Service that she, too, is receiving threatening emails and attacks on social media for her recommendation of a mask mandate.
Though the abuse hurts and the attacks are scary, McKenney remains committed to her post.
“I can’t have this knowledge and ability to help people and just walk away,” she told KNS’s Jim McLean.
