In 2010 I got Hepatitis A when there was a small outbreak in LA. As soon my dr determined I had Hep A, he called Dept of Health as legally required. Several ppl at my job got Hep A too. The LA County Dept of Health descended on all of us. 1/
A few ppl were hospitalized. I was quite ill but didn’t need to be hospitalized. MTV, on whose show we worked, was amazing; instantly transparent about everything & arranged for employees & families to get free immune globulin shots. 2/
LA County Dept of Health were the MVPs though. They interviewed us each multiple times, in person & over the phone. It reminded me of hypnosis as they asked Qs about what we’d eaten & when, in diff. ways. They’d help you recall what you’d eaten for lunch on a specific Tuesday 3/
Our little staff weren’t the only ppl to get it. I don’t know how many others got it in LA but it was ultimately traced back to the fruit on top of cakes from a specific bakery some days/wks earlier. I was blown away watching Dept of Health work. Genuine magic 4/
I remember thinking consciously “Wow I am grateful my taxes pay these folks.” Their work prevented a worse outbreak & more ppl getting very sick. (It’s a gross illness that lasts a few wks) More ppl didn’t lose work, endanger immunocompromised, etc. 5/
A huge county (LA) & a huge company (MTV) worked honestly, openly & thoroughly & helped contain a serious disease. Very instructive to me at the time & I’m thinking of it again now as the GOP catastrophically mishandles its response to coronavirus. 6/
Point is things like this happen sometimes & it’s not wrong or bad; it’s part of the human condition. It illustrates how connected we are & how your health is my health. As such you and I deserve #MedicareForAll. Worth acknowledging there’s only 1 candidate who believes that.
