Letter to the Editor: Time to Come Together to End COVID-19



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Your community needs your help!

For the first time, the local health systems of the counties of Athens, Fairfield, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Madison, Mason (West Virginia), Meigs, Noble, Pickaway, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and Washington get together to ask for your help. .

With the latest increase in COVID-19 cases, our hospitals, emergency departments and emergency care are reaching record numbers. Many of the patients requiring hospitalization suffer from a higher degree of illness than what we have seen in the past. This weighs heavily on our associates. We are concerned about what the coming weeks will bring. We want to continue to provide the care our patients need, when and where they need it.

What we are experiencing is very real. It is not a political question; it’s a medical problem. When we look at our patient data, a large majority of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 does not discriminate. It affects all ages, races and sexes. The virus will spread, even to those who are healthy. We have ways to reduce exposure to COVID-19 and guard against widespread infection. You MAY use a mask AND, if you are 12 years of age or older, get the vaccine.

We need your help to protect you and your loved ones.

Sometimes we are all asked to put others before ourselves. During the pandemic, our call is no different. Using our scientific knowledge and compassion to help others, we ask you to act quickly. Help us change the trajectory of COVID-19 for our communities by protecting you and your loved ones.

By masking ourselves and getting vaccinated completely, we can significantly slow the rate of spread and ultimately the potential exposure of COVID-19 to you.

Our communities have suffered so much loss from COVID-19. As our teams console families who have lost loved ones, we’ve heard many say, “We didn’t expect COVID-19 to create such heartache and loss. Unfortunately, this loss has prompted some to get vaccinated themselves.

Historically, our respective county residents have banded together during times of struggle. This is what we love about resilience and grain. Whether it’s a fire, tornado or flood, you have stepped up to support each other in times of crisis. We ask you to start over. Our communities are in crisis. We ask you to come together and extend grace instead of being divided. The leaders of your community hospital join hands to fight for the health of our community. Join us for the well-being of your loved ones and our communities.

Jeff Graham, President and CEO, Adena Health System

J. Scott Cantley, President and CEO, Memorial Health System

John R. “Jack” Janoso, President and CEO, Fairfield Medical Center

Tim Colburn President and CEO, OhioHealth Berger Hospital

Stacey Gabriel, President and CEO, Hocking Valley Community Hospital

LeeAnn Helber, President, OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital

Michael Canada, President and CEO, Holzer Health System

Ben Gill, President and CEO, Southern Ohio Medical Center

Dana Engle, CEO, Madison Health



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