Thread by @purplemamabear

#Physicians in #NorthDakota who speak 🗣 out on need for necessary precautions have been ostracized and dismissed. #NorthDakota lost 3 state health directors in 1st months of the #pandemic. Public health officials have had hands tied. Those who continue to speak out have 1/

received threats from public and discouraged by state officials. Our state has 54% vaccination rate and #masks are optional with very few wearing. The only time our state imposed a #MaskingMandate is when our #hospitals were beyond capacity & Governor & other officials wanted 2/

#nurses to work when #COVID positive if no or mild symptoms. The #ND #Nursing association stepped in & pushed back thus leading Governor to take steps one ☝🏼 of which was #MaskMandate. That lasted relatively shortly & now in #NorthDakota very little precautions taken. 3/

I feel very indebted to those in #Healthcare & #PublicHealth that despite the pressure & threats they receive they continue to raise their #voice. In #NorthDakota #COVID deaths seen as acceptable. Concerns of #LongCovid seems to be viewed by state officials & much of #public 4/

the Loch Ness Monster even though we are seeing more & more individuals dealing with significant & lasting impacts of the #Virus. 5/