College of Public Health students are gaining valuable work skills as contract tracers.
LEARNING LESSONS FROM CONTACT TRACING STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATY STITES
2 INSIGHT FALL 2020
Story and photos by Katy Stites
Rebecca Nyangufi
Madison Snitker
C
ommunity members who contract or are exposed to COVID-19 may find themselves talking on the phone with Rebecca Nyangufi, one of about 45 University of Iowa College of Public Health students who are working part-time as contact tracers at Johnson County Public Health in Iowa City. These students have the unique experience of helping the local public health department and wider community handle the coronavirus pandemic, all while gaining valuable skills. Nyangufi, a senior majoring in public health, says the experience has solidified her choice to pursue public health. “Before, it was really hard to explain to my friends and my family what public health was.” Now, she says, with public health professionals leading the battle against a pandemic that has upended daily life, people are beginning to understand the critical role public health professionals play, often behind the scenes, to prevent disease and promote health. She also has a new appreciation for local public health and how different public health professionals work together to manage the pandemic. “They do a lot to keep the community safe and keep everyone healthy,” she says.
