During a recent government meeting, Keith Britt, a local resident and former lead COVID-19 researcher, delivered a poignant address reflecting on the pandemic's impact and the current state of public health in the county. Britt, who lost his father to COVID-19, emphasized the gravity of the situation, revealing that 1,549 residents have succumbed to the virus. He noted that without the decisive actions taken by local government and public health leaders, the death toll could have been significantly higher.

Britt urged the commission to focus on the declining vaccination rates for childhood diseases, attributing this trend to the politicization of the COVID-19 vaccine. He expressed concern that the erosion of trust between parents and healthcare professionals is leading to a dangerous decline in essential immunizations for children, which could have dire consequences for public health.

He criticized a proposed resolution under consideration by the commission, labeling it as politically motivated and lacking practical value. Britt argued that such measures could further jeopardize children's health and urged the commission to prioritize effective public health strategies over political statements.

Drawing on his experience as a U.S. Army veteran, Britt highlighted the importance of vaccinations in preventing health crises, referencing his own mandatory vaccinations during military service. He concluded his remarks by cautioning against allowing political issues to overshadow critical health decisions, invoking the example of Flint, Michigan, to illustrate the potential consequences of neglecting public health for political gain.