A Crisis of Cooperation and Leadership

Earlier this week the news of a resignation was shared in our community.  Angie Hittson, Director of the Franklin County Health Department resigned to take another position with an area hospital.  Hittson had been with the local health department for fourteen years and had hoped to remain in the position until she retired.  From all indications she had run her department well and done an exceptional job through some very challenging times.  But Director Hittson is reported to have faced "daily verbal assaults, threats of violence and even death threats."  In resigning, she joined twelve others who left similar positions in our state since the pandemic began in 2020. 

Since Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled that local health departments were given too much authority in issuing health orders in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, politicians have moved in to fill the void.  To be sure, most of these leaders are not health care experts and epidemiologists,  In fact, they have often pitted themselves against the scientific community and helped to disseminate misinformation about the disease.  Rather than using their office to model cooperation and respect, their words and actions have added to the confusion that many feel.  Real leadership has been lacking.

Consider the recent responses of Franklin County's Presiding Commissioner, Tim Brinker.  All along Brinker has not wavered from the position of his party.   Choosing to be responsible for the common good has been resisted.  In responding to the threats that Hittson and others in her department faced, Commissioner Brinker referenced fear as the precipitating factor that drives people to speak and act in hateful, even violent ways.  Maybe.  But fear is no excuse for lashing out and harming others.   

In another news story the Presiding Commissioner indicated that he is planning to "apply pressure" to health professionals so that they promote a "healthy lifestyle."  Seriously?  Mr. Brinker wants individuals to make up their own minds about whether or not to receive the vaccines for COVID without governmental interference.  He offers a broader perspective.  To quote Brinker, "You know, there's no promotion of getting a healthy lifestyle, losing weight, being fit and eating right and getting enough sleep."  Such statements shift the focus and minimize the crisis we still face--ultimately a crisis of cooperation and leadership.

We could have done more to keep our community safe.  It starts at the top.  We can and must do better.