LETTER to the Editor

October 25, 2021 To our patients, friends, and neighbors in Hastings, Prescott and surrounding communities: As the physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants of the Hastings healthcare community, we are asking that the each of you take steps to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community as we continue to struggle with COVID-19.

As you know, we are seeing more cases of COVID-19 variants in Hastings, across our state and western Wisconsin, and throughout the U.S. Many vulnerable individuals in our community are getting sick, being hospitalized, and even being transferred to larger hospitals for respiratory support and other critical care services. This, coupled with the importance of continuing to meet the on-going health care needs for our community, is creating more pressure on health care systems.

Our personal choices can impact others — especially those in our communities, including young children and others who are not able to be vaccinated. We know vaccination against the virus is our best path to end the pandemic. We ask that everyone continue to take the steps we know work to prevent catching or spreading this disease: get immunized as soon as you can, if you are uncertain about getting immunized talk to your healthcare provider, wear a mask, wash your hands, and get tested if you have been exposed or are not feeling well. We must do all that we can to help protect children and others who are not able to be immunized.

We also understand the need for our children to be in school. Not all students can be vaccinated so it is vitally important that all students mask at school. Masking decreases the spread of the COVID-19 virus, decreasing the risk of COVID-19 to all students.

Preventing illness is part of our mission. It is a critical part of who we are. We have seen the devastation of individuals and families affected by COVID-19 first hand. We want nothing more than to prevent the continuation of this suffering, but we cannot do it alone. As a community, we must ensure we are taking every possible step to keep our families, our friends and our communities safe. Thank you for doing your part.

Sincerely, Your Hastings doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants Lesley Atwood, MD Susan Betcher, M.D. Sanaya Bharucha, MD Gita Byraiah, MDD Daniel Conrad, MD Angela Faulkner, MD Tricia Ische, PA Derek Jackson, MD Meghan Kinsel, MD Jean Kummer, NP Florence Kotiso, MD Garrett Lechtenberg, MD Travis Lockwood, MD Jeffrey Lodermeier, MD Sarah Markert, MD Ellen McCullough, PA Melody McKenzie, MD Ian McQuistan, MD Ana Norell, MD Christina Pieper-Bigelow, MD Lon Peterson, MD Mona Roach, MD Lizbet Ronning, MD Mark Rotty, MD Peter Schill, MD Nicholas VenOsdel, MD