DIRK MILLMAN

Journalists in Michigan got word last month of14 positive cases of COVID-19 in Michigan schools.

The first and most obvious question: “Where?”

Fast forward to the end of last week and the question is still … where?

As parents all over the state wrestle with the decision to go with virtual learning options or face-to-face learning they are not being fully informed about positive cases in their children’s school.

Reporters have reached out to the governor’s office, to the Department of Health and Human Services and other state and local officials to find out where there are positive cases in our schools. To date, no one seems to know or be willing to supply this information.

Transparency matters more now than ever. Families need this information to make decisions about the education of their children. Being armed with facts will help them make those decisions.

Many people today are living in multi-generational homes. Not only is the safety of the student at play here, there may be concerns about elderly family members living in the same home or members of the family with underlying health problems.

We’ve been told over and over how important it is to track and trace positive COVID-19 tests. We know the awful consequences of an outbreak in a community, we know how quickly one case can become many. There are no privacy violations involved in letting communities know which school has a problem so parents can make informed decisions.

Be it lack of transparency on purpose, or a case of poor preparedness, it’s time for the state and local departments of community health to step up and provide this vital information to the citizens of Michigan.

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Dirk Milliman is the Public Policy Committee chairman of the Michigan Press Association.