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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12302020_Rotchford_COVIDFrom:Elisabeth Rotchford To:Board of Health Subject:Fw: More inclusive access for covid testing? Date:Wednesday, December 30, 2020 6:26:21 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. From: Pamela Adams <PAdams@cityofpt.us> Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 8:05 AM To: Elisabeth Rotchford <elisabethhaight@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: More inclusive access for covid testing? Dear Ms. Rotchford, Thank you for your question about the ease of testing. I suggest you send this email toboh@co.Jefferson.wa.us. It will be read and possibly answered directly by Dr. Tom Locke and/or it will be discussed with all other public comment at the next Jefferson County Boardof Health Meeting January 21 at 2:30 pm. It’s my understanding that the amount of testing is dependent on the hospital’s ability toprovide the health care workers to perform the tests. Jefferson Health Care is the only provider in the County doing the testing. It’s really about the numbers of testers available not politics. However, your point is well taken. And I as a member of the Board of Health will ask that a testing discussion be added to the agenda. Have a happy and healthy new year. Best Regards,Pam Adams Sent from my IPhone. Apologies for typos. On Dec 29, 2020, at 7:30 PM, Elisabeth Rotchford<elisabethhaight@hotmail.com> wrote:  Dear Ms MickHager and Ms Adams, Thank you for your service on the City Council, and I believe the topic I am interested in is in your coverage. There was a recent letter to the Editor in the Leader which I had submitted twice and contacted the editor about; hence the publishing in the following paper. In the letter I asked why we don't have easier and cheaper testing available in Port Townsend and Jefferson County, when other counties in Washington State are making it much simpler and free to receive testing. My husband, Kimber Rotchford, a longtime, local physician, made this suggestion to the Public Health Dept. at the beginning of the pandemic and was strongly criticized, when it has been proven, even now, to be the best way to rein in and follow the spread. We are being side-tracked by the glitz of the vaccine, when most of us won't receive it for many months, and the pandemic continues spreading. In our county, we continue to have more cases, and from my experience of trying to talk to someone in Public Health, or the hospital, there is nothing being done to allow for more inclusive access to testing. The cost, need for symptoms, and having to be referred keeps people from being tested. Are there any ideas being considered at this point? With the recent variant being found in the U.S., it seems even more urgent to develop better accessibility. I know there are many local citizens who would gladly contribute financially if that is a hinderance to a local solution. Thank you for all of your good work with our community, and I wish you and your families all of the best in the coming year. Sincerely, Elisabeth Rotchford 360-38504198 CITYOFPT NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC DISCLOSURE: Public documents and records are available to the public as required under the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). The information contained in all correspondence with a government entity may be disclosable to third party requesters under the Public Records Act.