The News Editorial: It's not time for blame or shame

This is not the time for the blame game or for COVID-19 shaming, and from what we are hearing around the community, both are happening.

Nearly two weeks ago a COVID-19 outbreak at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center occurred and is still occurring with more cases reported this weekend. There have also been two deaths reported.

I can guarantee that no one at the facility wanted this outcome and trying to place blame or looking down on staff members who work there is not what this community is about, or at least it should not be.

We like to profess that Wyoming people, Washakie County people are better than that but comments can get ugly on social media and looks can be daggers out in the community.

When an outbreak like this occurs, what should happen, in small town Wyoming, is that the city rallies around those staff members and those residents and shows them support in whatever social distancing way we can. We can send letters and cards to residents or staff members, 1901 Howell Avenue in Worland.

It has not been all bad. We have also received word that some families have provided snacks and one family provided pizza for the staff, and that the residents love getting cards and letters.

Those are the stories we like to hear about our community members.

Does it matter how the outbreak occurred? The Wyoming Department of Health spokesperson said, we may never know. There are theories and possibilities, but in the end, what matters is the fact that the outbreak is here and it matters how we as a community respond.

It is that response that will define us and show us how we will handle the next crisis. Will we rally around those impacted and give them support and encouragement or will we point fingers and criticize?

I hope that we chose to rally around the Worland Healthcare and Rehab Center during this time. Let us show them that true Wyoming caring spirit. After all aren’t we #WorlandStrong, #WyomingStrong and aren’t we all in this together?