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SIOUX FALLS, SD – President and CEO of one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health care systems says he won’t wear a mask at work because he’s recovered from COVID- 19, and that this would only be a “symbolic gesture” because he considers himself immune from the virus.
South Dakota-based Sanford Health’s Kelby Krabbenhoft set out his thoughts on COVID-19, and why he wouldn’t wear a mask, in an email sent to healthcare system workers on Wednesday afternoon and obtained from several sources by Forum News Service.
Krabbenhoft said he still suffered from “coughing and dragging fatigue,” but told employees he was back in the office – without a mask.
“For me, wearing a mask defies the effectiveness and purpose of a mask and sends a false message that I am susceptible to infection or that I could pass it on,” he said. “I have no interest in using the masks as a symbolic gesture when I consider that my actions in favor of our family leave no doubt about my support for all 50,000 of you. My team and I have a duty to express the truth and the facts and the reality and not to argue the contrary.
Krabbenhoft’s 1,000-word email offers a unique window into the thinking of the leader of the major healthcare system, who notably failed to join long-distance rival Avera Health in supporting a public mask mandate in his hometown Sioux Falls. native, even at local and national level. COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased.
Sanford Health employs approximately 48,000 people and has large medical centers and more than 200 clinics in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota.
Krabbenhoft, who is not a doctor, based his defense of his decision not to wear a mask on his opinion that he had developed immunity to COVID-19.
“Information, science, truth, advice and growing evidence shows that I am immune for at least seven months and possibly for years to come, similar to chickenpox, measles, etc. », He wrote, without specifying the sources of his claim.
However, current science is much less clear that Krabbenhoft is immune for seven months, much less years. In South Dakota alone, Department of Health officials announced late last month they were investigating 28 possible cases of COVID-19 reinfection, in people who had already tested positive for at least 90 days. before.
State health officials have said they are still awaiting large-scale studies on whether and how long a COVID-19 survivor is holding onto antibodies to the point of being immune to reinfection.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently saying that instead of a full understanding of reinfection, those who have had COVID-19 should join those who have not to reduce the risk spreading the virus by wearing masks. public places, social distancing and hand hygiene.
“The duration and robustness of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 remains under investigation,” says the CDC, using the technical term for the virus that causes COVID-19, in a summary updated on 19 October. “Based on what we know about other related human coronaviruses, people seem to become susceptible to re-infection around 90 days after the onset of infection.
But Krabbenhoft has told employees about his frustrations with the conversation around the masking.
“Masks have been a symbolic problem that frankly frustrates me,” he writes, arguing that the “repeated, repeated” use of masks is absurd.
“On the other hand, for people who have not contracted the virus and who can acquire and spread it. … It is important for them to know that the masks are just smart to use and in their best interest, ”he wrote, underlining the last three words of his email.
Krabbenhoft also noted that some Sanford workers would soon be the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as state officials said it would first be directed to frontline health workers treating patients. infected with the virus.
Those who receive the vaccine will then “have a responsibility to demonstrate confidence, professional poise, and your personal boast that communicates that we have overcome fear, disease, and misunderstanding to live and re-engage in our lives. communities, ”Krabbenhoft wrote.
Full text from Sanford Health President and CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft, November 18, email to employees:
Dear Sanford family,
I had the virus (COVID-19).
I contracted the virus, felt the uncertainty that came with the word “positive,” endured the symptoms, adhered to quarantine and all protocols, felt the late cough and fatigue… but I’m back in my office, working on Sanford’s priorities and most importantly focusing on making sure we live up to the expectations of all who entrust their care to us, and doing everything I can to support you and thank you for creating the most important standard of calm, professional, always compassionate and constant care for your fellow Sanford family members and all those who depend on you for factual, truthful and common information in today’s chaotic times.
I had the virus.
So what does this mean? Every Monday I gather the best leaders from that part of our nation around me for our weekly meeting. I am updated daily on the state of Sanford and this virus, AND the 90% of other patients seeking care for all their concerns unrelated to the virus. But every Monday I ask what we know about the virus. From the proper use of masks, to vaccine development and distribution, to policies on visits, to staff affected by the virus, and to research on immunity and safety… and more.
For 37 weeks top infectious doctors, immunologists, the president of Sanford Research, the chief medical officer of Sanford, the president of the Sanford group of doctors, the chief operating officer of Sanford and the chief of nursing of Sanford , all answer the same questions. ask each week to let me know if science, truth, facts, and common sense have changed.
In the last 37 weeks, some things have changed:
Do we have enough fans (remember?)?
At first the answer was no, but now we’re more inactive than we’ll probably ever use.
Will we lose a significant number of employees in quarantine?
At first we were afraid of this, but now we have solutions, and I knew that even when the volumes were low, it would be foolish to take time off and cut back. So I pushed “the other way” and increased job security, confidence, financial support and, like any good family, for those who were unhappy at home. You feel the stress of this situation as we all do, but you are leaders in these times, trained and aware of it, and you live up to your calling and our reputation. You have earned this amazing personal reputation, let it hold on to and strengthen it.
A lot of other things have changed, the most important being that the majority of you have not contracted the virus and will be the first to get the vaccine in a few weeks and then will have the responsibility to show confidence, professional balance and your personal boast. communicates that we have overcome fear, illness and misunderstanding to live and re-engage in our communities.
The masks have been a symbolic problem that frankly frustrates me. Many of you know that I am an old scrub technician from my youth. For 40 years, I have known extremely well the function of masks in infectious control and the safety of the operating room in relation to the management of infectious protocols on site and on floors in infectious, contagious and dangerous situations. The “on-again, off-again” behavior of mask use by the general population violates all the notions of serious infectious management that I have been trained to adhere to, so it’s absurd. On the other hand, for people who have not contracted the virus and can acquire it and then spread it…. It is important for them to know that the masks are just smart to use and in their best interest.
More importantly, do we have everything and everyone we need to take care of those who come to us for care?
The answer is that it was and is yes.
I had the virus.
What does this mean for me and for others who have had it like me?
Information, science, truth, advice and growing evidence indicates that I am immune for at least seven months and possibly for years to come, similar to chickenpox, measles, etc. For me, wearing a mask defies the effectiveness and purpose of a mask and sends a false message that I am susceptible to infection or that I could transmit it. I have no interest in using the masks as a symbolic gesture when I consider that my actions in favor of our family leave no doubt as to my support for all 50,000 of you. My team and I have a duty to express the truth and the facts and the reality and not to argue the contrary.
These are serious issues, and they force us to humbly recognize that standing up and honoring the truth and advice we know about the virus is lonely, unpopular, or subject to criticism. We have to stand on the heights of science, fact, and truth anyway. These are serious questions. I know that many, many of you will take this note as intended, that it reflects the best information and advice we have in Sanford and beyond. I pray that we are very united in this situation. There is always room for those who might see it differently and, as always, I hope to have a respectful and thoughtful opportunity to discuss their concerns, either with myself or with one of my members. of the management team that you know well.
I am optimistic about our future, we are extremely strong and have the most significant performance in our history. From the amount of daily care we give to people in 26 states, to the contributions we make in research and solutions, to our business affairs… we are an amazing organization. My optimism is however held back quietly because of those who are emotionally suffering from this virus, because we have lost family members to this virus and this virus has apparently found a way to separate so many from a struggle. common, which appears to have a remarkably positive result.
I had the virus. A vaccine is being prepared for distribution. As a people, we have suffered but we have overcome.
Please travel safe, we need you.
Regards,
Kelb
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