jpatterson@mariettatimes.com
As the nation kicked off National Public Health Week, turmoil and change has continued in local administrations.
¯ Marietta-Belpre Health Department
Concerns about the joint health department encompassing both of Washington County’s cities have residents and other health workers questioning the impacts on elderly and homeless or transient individuals’ access to coronavirus vaccination in the middle of a pandemic.
Marietta Law Director Paul Bertram confirmed Monday the department remains under investigation by both city administrations and by the (Ohio) State Employee Relations Board for the removal of former Director of Nursing Vickie Sawyer, which followed the exit in 2020 of Director of Nursing Beth Casto and the resignation this year of Health Commissioner Anne Goon.
jpatterson@mariettatimes.com
Photos by Janelle Patterson
The first mass vaccination clinic with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine against coronavirus in Marietta was held Saturday at the Memorial Health System Wayne Street Medical Campus.
Snaking around the Wayne Street medical campus, close to the Ohio River, more than 1,400 individuals in their vehicles were vaccinated Saturday in Marietta’s first mass-vaccination clinic with the Johnson and Johnson single-dose innoculation from coronavirus.
At the entrance to the campus, across the street from Memorial Health System’s laboratory where many get their bloodwork done, greeters welcomed those with appointments and filed them into the two lanes, wrapping around the hillside parking lot.
cmyer@newsandsentinel.com
I took the first step this week toward feeling more confident in an eventual return to whatever “normal” is going to look like. I got my first COVID-19 vaccine shot, and an appointment for my second in a few weeks.
From the beginning, getting my place in line filling out an online form way before shots were actually approved for my age group; to the end, when a guy in a yellow rain suit waved at me as I left the parking lot, the experience included only one, quickly remedied hiccup.
Shortly after the date on which Gov. Mike DeWine approved my age group for shots, I received an email from the Washington County Health Department, which gave me the chance to sign up for an appointment. I chose a spot at the Elizabeth Sugden Broughton Community Building.
Public health week is celebrated April 5 through April 11.
In the midst of the most challenging public health crisis of our lifetimes, it’s more important than ever to celebrate public health. Saturday April 10 of public health week is dedicated to uplifting mental health and wellness. We want this article to celebrate the partnership between the Marietta/Belpre Health Department, the Washington County Health Department, and the Washington County Behavioral Health Board.
Mental health is a critical component of public health
Strong mental health isn’t just the absence of mental health problems. Being mentally or emotionally healthy is much more than being free of depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues. Rather than the absence of mental illness, mental health refers to the presence of positive characteristics.
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