Truth is key to staying safe

One thing that seems clear about this pandemic is the need for the truth. As individuals and a community we can make the most informed decisions when we are aware of the facts. That is why it is important that when coronavirus cases are confirmed, we are able to learn where those infected people have been. Some local businesses have chosen to be transparent, telling the public when they have had an outbreak. The La Crosse County Health Department has recently started telling us which locations are considered hotspots for contracting the virus. There are currently five businesses in the county which are in the high-risk category. People who have been to those locations during the specified time period are asked to complete a risk screening and referral form to determine whether they should be tested for the virus. Other businesses are listed as being a medium or low risk, when as few as one case have been reported there. Some, like the Wisconsin Grocers Association and the Tavern League are resisting the public naming of businesses where the infection has been known to spread. They fear it could lead to boycotts of those businesses. But don’t we deserve to know where the risk is the highest, so we can make the best decisions about our own safety?