The Toughest and Most Rewarding Job

By Denise Hill

I came on board with Marin County, as a CI/CT supervisor, in mid-December. It did not take long to recognize genuine concern for the community. I was (and still am) very impressed by the way the program is run and the support that has been received from everyone involved.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to participate in such a worthwhile effort, and while the future is uncertain, I feel that the end of this pandemic is in sight. While I do not have personal contact with cases or contacts, I do hear about the resources that are made available to those in need and the care and compassion that they are given, during what is sure to be, some of their darkest days. My heart and appreciation go out to all of you for taking on what is most likely the most challenging and rewarding job you have had. Thank You! Your efforts have inspired me.

I’m a Contact Tracer

By Lee Ann Bartolini

I spoke with an older woman who lived alone and had tested positive for COVID-19. Her symptoms worsened, and I noticed, even over the phone, that her breathing was labored. I advised her to call her doctor or go to the emergency room. She called me back from the emergency room, where she was admitted to the hospital, and thanked me for the help. These stories were familiar during the last nine months I have been a contact tracer. There was so much anxiety associated with COVID-19 symptoms that being a person who could listen and direct others to receive the help they needed was genuinely worthwhile.

COVID-19 Forced Us to Care for Others

By Evelyn Colindres

COVID-19 has changed everyone’s life in so many aspects. Life certainly hasn’t been easy, and for many, it’s been the worst thing to happen, as many have also struggled with other health issues. Health issues like depression have worsened due to the lack of social interactions and support because of the shelter-in-place order. So many have had to struggle financially due to the impact that COVID-19 has had on the workforce.

COVID-19 has also forced us to stop for a moment and think about others — it has almost caused us to be more conscious and to care for others (not just ourselves), including our loved ones. It has forced us to care for humanity in general and to see how vulnerable we are yet so strong. We keep moving forward during this pandemic.

One aspect of my life that has changed because of COVID-19 is my work. I was moved from my “regular” job in Health and Human Services to a completely different place and role in public health: working as a Case Investigator. I was still able to help our community. Besides investigating positive cases of COVID-19, I was able to enter people’s homes via phone conversations and listen to their needs and fears. Many people in our community were and still are experiencing anxiety. A friend of mine always says, “If you have a friend, you don’t need a psychologist,” in other words, an understanding ear makes a world of difference. That’s what we did in so many cases. We did our best to provide quality interactions in each call.

I remember the following case: It was a lady in her 70s. When she answered the phone, I introduced myself as I would in every case I worked, “Hello, my name is Evelyn. I work for Marin County Health & Human Services, and I was calling to see how you are feeling today.” She was pleased to hear the first question and told me that she was experiencing depression and felt lonely because she had moved to her garage to prevent the rest of her family from getting sick. I listened to her explain her situation, and in the process, she provided me with the information that I needed, and I was also able to provide her with helpful resources. In the end, she expressed gratitude for the time I took to listen to her, and she asked me to call her back the next day to talk a little bit more. I laughed conscientiously, and I told her that I would. Little did she know, I was supposed to call her back anyway for a follow-up call. I felt good about my job that day — it felt gratifying. In many cases, I could show people that we cared and were there for them to support them.