Reopening Report: County's Health Officer Weighs In

As our region leads the way for Michigan’s reopening, we checked in with Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department Health Officer Lisa Peacock for her take on our progress. Says Peacock, “Moving to phase 5 is a positive sign that is only possible because the rates of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to decline. In order to remain in phase 5, we need to continue to see these strong patterns.” Here’s more from Peacock:

Leelanau Ticker: What businesses in Leelanau are implementing best practices to handle reopening? Are there any who deserve an A+?
Peacock: There are many who deserve an A+. The challenges our local businesses have faced over the past weeks are significant, and we have seen them following the rules that are required of them. They ask great questions and they obviously care so much about the people that work for them and the people that they serve. I would just ask the community that we ALL support their efforts to make it easy for them, as much as we can, by complying with the rules when entering their businesses. I know when I walk into a business, when I see that I need to wait my turn to come in, when I’m asked to wear a mask, and I see their staff are wearing masks, I know they care about my safety. Another note, we know there are still many people required to mostly stay home due to their increased risk for COVID, and they really appreciate the curbside and delivery options our businesses have developed and hope they continue this.

Leelanau Ticker: What advice do you have as we begin to interact more with others outside of our household?
Peacock: We are moving from a really black-and-white status to returning to our own assessment of risk. It can be uncomfortable because it requires more judgment and decision-making…and it is not as clear. Employers and businesses, congregate living situations, and gatherings are especially at risk for outbreak and we must continue to be vigilant and to use all the protective measures available to us, such as hand washing and masks, with the hope that several small efforts will stack up keep us on the right side of that safe-to-risky continuum. 

Leelanau Ticker: The 4th of July is around the corner. Any advice for those of us with friends and family arriving?
Peacock: We have to remember with the declining numbers across the state, no one is completely safe and no one is completely in danger…the travel risk is not so much risk of traveling to a new region, but about EACH of us looking at what we do in our everyday life. For instance, was I just in metro Detroit at a large church event and then came directly to TC to see my family? Or, is everybody in my family well and sticking to restrictions? Then it is likely fine for that family to gather. When we do gather, the more activities that can be done outdoors certainly reduces the risk.

Leelanau Ticker: What message do you have for those not wearing a mask in public?
Peacock: I see awesome businesses trying to do the right thing even though it’s not easy, and they have suffered a lot during this crisis. We can do our part to support them and not make it harder for them to create a safe space. With our circles widening we have to do the best we can. We know it is a measure that can help contain respiratory secretions. Wearing a mask is a way of protecting each other.

Leelanau Ticker: Can you shed light on the COVID-19 positive cases who have recovered in Leelanau and Benzie Counties. What does ‘recovered’ mean for these individuals?
Peacock: Every case is different — we follow the definition set by the state which is 30 days after positive test. We know that people may still have symptoms for a longer period of time or that they may never have any symptoms. We follow the CDC guidance for return to work and other interactions which is 10 days after symptom onset and after three days without symptoms or fever.

Leelanau Ticker: Do you know of more free testing events planned for our region?
Peacock: We are currently working with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and a contracted lab to develop a plan for additional testing events in our community.

Leelanau Ticker: Why get tested if I feel healthy?
Peacock: Asymptomatic cases remind us that anyone can have COVID without realizing it and could be unknowingly and unwittingly spreading it to others. Every test contributes to the body of knowledge that we have, and the pandemic risk indicators as we move around more and more. We are safer as a whole, to have more data.

Leelanau Ticker: We are now in week two of personal care services reopening. What is your guiding message as we navigate this?
Peacock: Executive Order 114 outlines very specific guidance for personal care services providers including social distancing, masking, cleaning/disinfection, capacity limits, use of PPE, and maintenance of records that allow for easy identification of clients who may be close contacts should a positive case be diagnosed.

Leelanau Ticker: What advice do you have for Leelanau teenagers this summer?
Peacock: We know teenagers could be carriers for this virus. They are not immune. I hope they do have fun, do things like have bonfires at the beach, but follow the rules. They have a lot of influence and they are watching each other, so I hope they really make it cool to wear the mask. Talking with my own young adult children, who are still prone to peer pressure — which we all are — the more of us who are wearing masks comfortably, the more others will follow our lead.

Leelanau Ticker: What about our senior community members as we continue to fight this pandemic?
Peacock: It’s important for seniors to remember even as we move along the phases of the MI Safe Start Plan, those who are more at risk should stay home as much as possible and take advantage of the services such as takeout and grocery delivery for the time being. As they start to interact with others, weigh that carefully. I just walked over to my parents’ house to sit outside on the lawn with them for the first time in a very long time. I tell them, skip the crowds and save in-person interactions for those most important to them.

As of 5pm Sunday, June 14, Leelanau County has 12 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and Benzie County has 5 confirmed positive cases. The recovered count for COVID-19 cases are Leelanau 9; Benzie 4. Benzie-Leelanau Health Department has not reported any COVID-19 deaths. Visit the health department’s COVID-19 data dashboard for the latest local information including recovered data, zip codes where positive cases are found, and age ranges for the positive cases.