COVID Death Surge Looming for Scioto County?
There have been more COVID-related deaths this month than all the deaths combined since March 5th.
According to the Collins English Dictionary, a surge is a sudden large increase in something that has previously been steady or has only increased or developed slowly. One could certainly make the argument that a “statistical surge” is already underway. If the numbers we see were associated with a company on the NASDAQ, every single analyst would say that it is trending up.
This article will cover 2 very important questions. Why do we say that a surge may be looming? Why do the numbers on the Ohio Department of Health’s website differ from the numbers we receive each day locally?
Death Certificates
It may be a misconception that the County Coroner issues death certificates and labels them as COVID-related. In nearly every case, there is no autopsy and, therefore, no need for the Medical Examiner’s office to be involved. The attending physician is where the process starts. It is up to them to determine the cause of death and if that death is COVID-related.
Anyone who has experienced a death in the family can affirm, a death certificate can take up to two weeks to get back and sometimes longer. When a COVID death certificate is involved it must be processed through the Health Department and then a report is made.
State Senate Bill 22
State Senate Bill 22 (SB 22), sponsored by local State Senator Terry Johnson, forbids health departments in Ohio from ordering blanket health mandates among people without a diagnosis of any disease. There is no political bias and, frankly, the politicization of this public health scourge debases new information as quickly as it is released. This disease does not care who you voted for, the color of your skin, your socio-economic situation, or if you’re Big Bad Leroy Brown.
SB 22 is the law of the land. There will be no more curfews, mandates, or shutdowns. Some local governments and townships have tried to circumvent the law as it is worded that Health Departments can’t order these mandates. Lawsuits are already underway against those that have tried and time will tell. Until then, we find ourselves in yet another Public Health experiment.
Vaccinations
Scioto County currently has a 37% vaccination rate. This is another highly polarizing subject. Yes, you can still get COVID after being vaccinated. In fact, there are people in the ICU right now gravely ill with COVID that were fully vaccinated. Employers and schools are beginning to implement vaccination mandates. There are very strong opinions on both sides. Again, Public Health has become a political football.
Think back to last summer. The public was told to voluntarily quarantine themselves after they came home from vacation. Did you hear that this year? So, over 60% of the county’s population is not vaccinated and many trekked all over the country for Sun, Fun, and Relaxation.
Remember the term asymptomatic carriers? Remember these things before you start to blame a County Fair, church potluck dinner, family reunions, or playgrounds at the park. Remember, those were closed too.
We can’t point a judgemental finger at one single event to explain this plague. So, be good citizens stop trying to.
ODH Website Numbers
While we are reminiscing about the “flattening the curve” days, remember this. In early February, of this year, it was discovered that the Ohio Department of Health had underreported as many as 4,000 COVID-related deaths. An audit began but the numbers have become irrevocably distorted. Locally, our EMA Director, Larry Mullins, has developed a very accurate reporting system. His process involves reporting directly from the death certificates as they are reported through the local health departments. His records start from the very first death, long before the State debacle.
It is clear, the local reporting system is more accurate than the deluge of information being sifted at the state.
Conclusion
As the infections increase, the hospitalizations will increase, and sadly the deaths will increase. We are operating with a mix of apathy, defiance, and a “hands-off” approach from the state.
Before, we were afraid and seeking answers. Now, we’ve got it all figured out. We’re entrenched in our beliefs and it’s everyone for themselves.
This is not a call for politicians to proclaim a new edict on our citizenry. It is a plea for family, friends, neighbors, and strangers to remain civil. “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved.” ― Roy T. Bennett
