Effective July 16 at midnight, the State of Colorado issued Executive Order D 2020 138, which requires Coloradans to wear a face covering while in indoor public settings. This means that all Jeffco individuals and businesses should follow the requirements set forth in the state’s Order.
 
I’ve been asked many times, “How do these Orders lead to fewer cases, and do they actually work?” Here’s my answer: The overwhelming evidence is that SARS CoV-2 is transmitted by droplets, including microscopic droplets, or aerosols. Thus, anything we can do to keep spit, saliva, snot, phlegm and moist breath from traveling from an infected individual to a susceptible individual will help decrease spread. There are three commonly accepted ways of doing this — increasing the distance between the infected individual and the susceptible individual, putting barriers between the faces of the two individuals and cleaning any objects on which the infected individual may have deposited droplets. That's why public health recommendations are, (1) social (physical) distancing, (2) masks, face shields, Plexiglas barriers, etc., and (3) personal and communal hygiene.
 
We thank our community for continuing to take precautions to protect one another during this time. We all want to get back to normal, and I am deeply committed to helping our community get through this pandemic and back to a more sustainable way of life.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mark B. Johnson, MD, MPH
Executive Director
Jefferson County Public Health

A Squirrel Tests Positive for Plague in Jefferson County

A squirrel in the Town of Morrison recently tested positive for plague. This was the first case in the county since 2017. Read more and watch an interview with CBS4 that explains this case and plague in more detail.  

Talk with Your Teen About Alcohol

Despite what some parents – and teens – think, alcohol use isn't a rite of passage to adulthood. If anything, it can lead to negative outcomes, like health concerns, risky sexual behavior, other drug use and more. Talk to your teens about alcohol use. Learn more at twelvetalks.com. The best way to show your teen you care? Be there. Have a talk with your teen.
Learn more at twelvetalks.com.

Jefferson County Public Library

There are still opportunities to be involved in reading and learning this summer! Explore the different events Jefferson County Public Library is having throughout the summer. Have a reading goal you want to reach? There’s still time to sign up for the Explore Summer Reading program. Sign up here.