KEARNEY, Neb.-City officials and law enforcement in Central Nebraska are not happy with Two Rivers Health Department after they refused to release information regarding the addresses of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.
Governor Ricketts issued and Executive Order last month that allows public health departments to release information on addresses with known positive cases of COVID-19. The Governor and law enforcement say this is for the safety of first responders.
Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse along with law enforcement requested this information from Two River Public Health Department but were denied according to Mayor Clouse, citing privacy issues.
Two Rivers Public Health Department serves Buffalo, Dawson, Franklin, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney, and Phelps Counties.
Mayor Clouse released the following statement:
Governor Ricketts issued an executive order allowing health districts to release information regarding information about known COVID-19 cases for the enhanced protection of first responders. The executive order clearly defines there are controls to protect the privacy of individuals and there are punitive consequences for violation of that privacy. It is a short term order to assist our first responders (law enforcement, rescue, EMTs, fire, etc.) when making emergency calls during this pandemic.
Sheriff Miller, Chief Waugh, and emergency first responders in communities in Buffalo County believe this is a step that should be taken and consequently we requested (on numerous occasions) Two Rivers Health to release just the addresses of known cases for inclusion in our 911 system. We have been denied by the director and his board.
I believe their logic is flawed and is based on textbook reasoning rather than listening to the reality of first response as shared adamantly by Sheriff Miller, Chief Waugh, and others that deal with emergencies on a daily basis. We also offered to place stringent controls to respect the privacy of the individuals affected.
I am appalled and extremely angry with Two Rivers and their board for denying the release of additional information that could only help our first responders. Any person that supports our first responders should be equally angered at this blatant disregard of a request that CAN be granted and adds an additional layer of protection for our first responders.
As elected officials we have a responsibility to protect our first responders, which subsequently protects our citizens. We do not even know how many cases their are in Kearney. Makes it very hard to manage a crisis when additional information is withheld by an organization that is not held accountable at any level.
If you support our first responders and are equally angered and appalled please feel free to share this as it is the reality of what we are dealing with in regard to Two Rivers Health. It is certainly not how we do business in Kearney and Buffalo County.
Thanks, Stan
Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh issued the following statement:
On behalf of myself and the Kearney Police Department, thank you for the support of Mayor Clouse, City Council, and City Manager. While I’m disappointed with the decision by TRPH, we will move on, ensuring the safety of this community and our Police Officers, which is our top priority today and always. Proud to Serve.
Chief Bryan Waugh