Since 1986, Shelly Marcusse has worked with area youth.
Her goal was to be an advocate for them when it seemed no one else would or could. In 2005, Marcusse started in her current position as the Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District truancy officer. It was compassion, caring and experience working with at-risk youth that Marcusse said led to her being offered the truancy officer s position.
During the last school year and before COVID-19, Marcusse said she had about 250 truancy cases. Of those cases, 130 of them warranted intensive intervention, which included assistance from outside agencies such as children protective services, the court system, community mental health and/or a family doctor. It also potentially included home visits, parent meetings and the establishment of behavior plans.
While many people would like nothing more than to forget about 2020 and start fresh in 2021, the changes that society underwent this year likely wonât be going away anytime soon and could become permanent fixtures of the culture.
Among the behaviors that could become commonplace even after the immediate COVID-19 crisis is over is the use of masks in public places, at least among certain segments of the population.
Dr. Jennifer Morse, Medical Director for Central Michigan District Health Department and District Health Department No. 10, said senior citizens and those with compromised immune systems may decide to continue wearing masks, especially during flu season (or COVID season, if the disease becomes endemic in the population, as many experts believe it will).