THIS IS A RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND FLUID SITUATION.  INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT.

The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Wednesday 11/25/2020 at 9:54 am.

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11/25/2020 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1:  Swiss Cheese for Thanksgiving

Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.

Hello to all.  Along with the turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes/gravy, and cranberry sauce, please remember the Swiss cheese.  Swiss cheese?!  You might be thinking that isn’t typically associated with Thanksgiving, but I assure you this year it is absolutely essential! 

No, I’m not talking about the actual, delicious slices that are wedged with ham between bread, but the Swiss Cheese Model of Accident Causation.  Basically, this model suggests that accidents can be the result of multiple failure factors, and if we deliberately and thoughtfully provide protective layers, that will lower our risk.  This same concept applies to our important prevention efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.  Look at the graphic below:

What this shows us very clearly is that using multiple COVID-19 prevention techniques will provide much better protection than just relying on one or two.  The reason this is true is that no one technique is perfect, or protects against all possibilities.  By layering our protection, we are likewise reducing our risk.  In other words, more layers = more protection = reduced risk to ourselves and others. 

So, make sure you put Swiss cheese at the top of the list for this Thanksgiving.

Please, only physically celebrate with members of your immediate household, and have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

It’s up to us.

Richard Ritter, Executive Director

Otero County Health Department

13 West 3rd Street, Room 111

La Junta, Colorado 81050

719-383-3045 (Office)

719-383-3060 (Fax)

rritter@oterogov.org