Leaders of several of the largest hospitals and clinics in Northern Colorado sent a letter Saturday to Weld County commissioners urging them to reconsider their “safer-at-work” plan.
The letter, obtained by 9NEWS, outlines concerns from the health-care leaders that reopening businesses in Weld County too soon and too quickly could lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases that could overwhelm hospitals and clinics.
“Opening too soon or without a staged plan will negate the community, individuals, and businesses’ hard sacrifices to-date and lead to widespread, severe illness that our healthcare system cannot handle. The resulting deaths will be tragic,” the letter says. “… We can rebuild business – we cannot replace lives that are lost. We implore you to reconsider your ‘Safer-at-Work’ plan. Please lead a staged, slow opening of the economy.”
The letter is signed by: Margo Karsten, Banner Health’s western region president; Hoyt Skabelund, CEO of Northern Colorado Banner Health hospitals; Kevin Unger, president and CEO of Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, and UCHealth Northern Colorado; Marilyn Schock, president of UCHealth Greeley Hospital; Mitzi Moran, CEO of Sunrise Community Clinic; and John Santistevan, president and CEO of Salud Family Health Centers.
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The Weld County Board of Commissioners and the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment dubbed their strategy the “safer-at-work” plan, in clear contrast to the “safer-at-home” plan that Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced last week.
Polis’ option calls for a gradual reopening of businesses throughout the state. Beginning on Monday, for example, retail businesses can offer curbside service. Elective surgeries can begin again, and salons can re-open with strict protocols. Restaurant dining rooms will remain closed.
The chairman of the Weld County commissioners, Mike Freeman, told 1310 KFKA Radio that the county will not direct businesses to open, but it will provide guidelines for all of them to do so if they choose.
Source: 9NEWS
