DHS Secretary Johnson on Lessons Learned, Assessing Ongoing Risks of COVID

Tuesday, October 31st, 2023 -- 11:00 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) Wisconsin's chief health officer says we’re better prepared for the next pandemic.

In a WisPolitics newsmakers interview, Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson talked about lessons learned during the COVID pandemic. “I think public health has always been political. But it’s certainly a lesson we learned over the course of the pandemic of how political it is.”

Johnson said public health is working to rebuild credibility while urging people to use the tools available to keep themselves healthy. “Vaccines are readily available. And then we have masks in our toolbox as well. So again if you’re symptomatic or have been around someone who’s symptomatic to wear a mask.”

COVID is still with us and Johnson wants us to be aware of the risks. “So what's the risk to you? You know, are you immunocompromised? Are you aging? Are there other risk factors that you need to be aware of and to be more cautious.”

Johnson urges us to use the tools available to keep ourselves healthy. Those include vaccines, staying home when ill, and wearing masks when appropriate.

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