County executive urges patience from public

Contact tracers reporting rude behavior, ridicule

With mounting evidence of a second wave of the coronavirus in Michigan, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel on Tuesday urged residents to wear a facemask and stop arguing over the issue.

The county executive’s message came as the number of COVID-19 cases statewide are on the increase, along with the number of people in hospitals.

Hackel said the intensity of the mask debate has proven to be “pretty interesting.”

“It’s amazing how divided people are on both ends of the spectrum, about not wanting towear one because of constitutional rights and trying to force people through criminal fines for not wearing one,” he said in a videotaped presentation. “Most people are moderate, or in the middle.”

The mask debate has grown with many people “shaming” or videotaping their own confrontations at grocery stores, parks and restaurants over whether others are wearing a correct one or not wearing it properly.

“Please avoid confrontations,” the county executive said. “We have always said ‘ wear a mask, it makes a difference.’”

Michigan’s chief health officer, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, warned Tuesday the state could be in the early stages of a second wave of COVID-19 as the number of cases are on the increase.

Michigan had 89 new cases per 1 million people per day, up from 81.6 cases last week, the health department reported.

About 700 people with COVID-19 were in hospitals, up about 20% from last week. The rate of positive tests has ticked up to 3.6% from3.4%. It was under 3% in June.

“It is very possible this is the beginning of a second wave,” said Khaldun. “The virus has not changed. It is an opportunist. If people are not wearing masks, if people are gathering, if people are not washing their hands, itwill spread.”

The number of new cases reported statewide Tuesday was 1,237.

In Macomb County, there were 87 new cases, bringing the county’s number to 15,335, along with 12,401 recoveries and 996 deaths.

County officials also expressed concern over hostility being expressed by residents to healthcare workers performing contact tracing.

Contact tracers are tasked with getting in touch with anyone who has tested positive for the virus and find people they were in contact with. In addition to not always being able to reach those in

fected, many of the people who are contacted, become hostile, officials said.

“I’m surprised I have to say this,” Hackel said. “We are hoping some people will be more courteous.”

Deputy County Executive John Paul Rea said there are about 60 workers performing contact tracing, adding it’s a detailed, confidential process but workers also try to provide some guidance options to those who do answer their phones.

“All they are attempting to do is to provide individuals with guidance and options if they do come in contact, or they do obtain the coronavirus,” he said.

“They very much know how to give individuals these types of resources so they can place their families in the best situation moving forward should they themselves contact the disease or if there are any issues with close contact.”

Officials reminded the public to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines, which include social distancing, frequent hand washing and wearing facemasks.

For more information, visit macombgov.org.