MONKEY POX, COVID, AND HEAT STROKE — OH MY! 

I had been watching the Denton County Public Health Department’s weekly COVID tracking with a bit of concern, as the weekly total of new cases was steadily rising from several hundred in June/July to several thousand new cases in the last few weeks. Then I personally developed symptoms, and I tested positive for COVID on July 21. Prior to that, I was maintaining a normal working schedule as your Commissioner, meeting with lots of people and attending various events, but once the symptoms started and I was positive, I began quarantining and fighting the virus at home with my husband, Bob, who tested positive two days later.

These highly contagious strains and their resulting numerous new cases have now moved Denton County from a “low risk” CDC category to “medium risk.” On the positive side, our county has not experienced any resulting shortage of hospital beds, and there are several treatments that are proven effective, especially when started early in the illness.

And yet another scary illness is poking its ugly head into our County: Monkey Pox!

As of July 22, there were four confirmed cases of this horrible disease here in our county, and more could surface. However, Dr. Matt Richardson, Director of Denton County Public Health, stated that “the risk to the general public remains low.  As monkeypox cases increase, we’re asking the community to be aware of how monkeypox spreads and practice prevention methods recommended by the CDC.”

There is currently a limited monkeypox vaccine supply available.  DCPH will work collaboratively with healthcare providers and other local health departments to identify high-risk contacts of confirmed or probable monkeypox cases.  Vaccination may be offered as post-exposure prophylaxis.

While COVID and monkeypox are not going to be a problem for all of us here in the county, there is one malady of which we all need to be aware: Heat Exhaustion or Stroke. This oppressive heat is a new phenomenon that can result in serious injury if not treated correctly. Experts urge us to limit those outdoor activities to the cooler early morning and later evening hours.

In the midst of these somber warnings, we have a lot of good news and things for which to be thankful here in Denton County Precinct Four. I am very blessed and thankful for all of you who have been so kind and thoughtful to me as I serve as our County Commissioner. I love being your neighbor and your Commissioner. And I am so thankful for the spirit of close neighborliness that our county exudes.

If you would like to receive her e-newsletter which will contain updates on area road projects, please contact Commissioner Edmondson at Dianne.Edmondson@dentoncounty.gov. You may phone her at 972-434-3960 or visit her office in the Southwest Courthouse, 6200 Canyon Falls Drive, Suite 900, Argyle.