County residents see the reports on the positives and the probable cases, and we hear about the number of cases that have played a part with the deaths of neighbors, but we are not informed of the ages or genders of those who have been diagnosed.
Ohio County residents want that information just as Marshall County residents receive it from their health department.
It is not that we want to see ages and genders because we think it will allow us to believe we’re safer than others because Marshall County has included information a few times about single-digit individuals who have tested positive. No, it’s because we want to know more and we’re aware the information is available and could be made so by a taxpayer-employed agency in a county where we pay our taxes and expect something in return.
Genders and ages, even if it involves an infant, because that kind of reporting might just wake up some people and force them to learn all are vulnerable of catching COVID-19. We have a spike taking place in Ohio County and just yesterday Administrator Howard Gamble reported a 10 related death and 18 additional positive results.
That is why now would be the optimal time for the department to implement such reformed reporting. Not only do we want to know, we need to know.
