SHINING A
When the world seems dark, seek the light BY DAVID HEATON
Editor, SWUPHD Public Information Officer
he Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) began posting daily COVID-19 updates on their official Facebook page in March, soon after results began rolling out to local health districts from positive tests. The SWUPHD was among the first to include a count of those recovered. The first comment on the April 5th Facebook update was by a young woman named Allison who simply wrote “11 recovered!!” She soon became a regular in the comments section, sometimes near the top (“103 recovered!!”), sometimes further down (“515 recovered!!”). While some commenters expressed encouragement and appreciation, others criticized her cheerfulness, especially after the SWUPHD adopted the state’s criteria for recovery, which is 21 days after a positive test (and not deceased). It was pointed out to her that “recovered” doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have lingering health problems. “I know,” was her reply. On July 23rd, Allison commented “1827 recovered!!” which again led to some discussion about the uncertain future of the health of those individuals. Allison then revealed, “I currently have it and time will only tell with any long term
HEALTH MAGAZINE | FALL 2020
