Tensions in county rise with COVID-19 cases

As Montana’s reported COVID-19 cases spike to their highest levels since the pandemic began, tension has emerged between local officials as Jefferson County navigates the line between public health and economic resiliency.

County Public Health Officer Joan VanDuynhoven says she has not much support from local public officials for her state-mandated role to, among other things, “forbid persons to assemble in a place if the assembly endangers public health.”

“I’m not going to let [a public] event of thousands of people happen to let businesses survive. I can’t balance business health with public health” Van Duynhoven said, pointing out that she is a trained nurse and public health is her job.