National Public Health Week! What timing! We find ourselves at the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic in King County. Unprecedented in our lifetime. Hopefully, never to be repeated again.

We should all take great pride in the important work we do, not just for warding off this current viral menace, but for all the services we provide for our clients and communities on a regular basis. Whether it is caring for inmates in detention facilities, visiting with pregnant women and children, working with the homeless, or tracing contacts of infectious people; there is so much of our nursing practice that is out of the general public view. Preventive healthcare is quickly becoming a higher priority for everyone.

I firmly believe the silver lining in this dark cloud is that after decades of financial neglect, people in Washington state, across the nation, and around the world are learning about the true value of a strong, well-funded, and adequately equipped Public Health workforce. Our agency should not have to struggle so hard to balance its budget in the years ahead. We will survive and thrive!

As we celebrate Public Health Week, self-care is more important than ever. Make a concerted effort to reach out to colleagues, family, and friends for extra support during this very stressful time our lives.

Be safe!

Paul