Dr. Scott Morrow isn’t much for chitchat. When it comes to his job of keeping the people of San Mateo County safe from a pandemic, he doesn’t want attention and likes his written statements to speak for themselves.
Morrow, the county’s health officer, has been immersed in COVID-19 for three months now and isn’t interested in talking about how he went from a behind-the-scenes guy doing important but often overlooked work to the center of attention after his recent statements and orders. He’d rather talk about the work.
His main message is that he knows people want more data, it’s just not providing the clearest picture.
“I am not hiding anything from anyone. As soon as I know anything, you will know,” he said. “I’m not trying to manipulate people.”
The coronavirus data he gets is from myriad sources and tell different stories. The case numbers are not accurate but the hospitalizations are, he said, but they are a trailing indicator from three to four weeks prior. Unfortunately, when it comes to this developing virus, there aren’t any leading indicators, he said.
It becomes a philosophical question: Is early data that could be misleading better than no data? Morrow said he has decided that releasing some early data is better than none but he cautions against too much because it may not mean anything.
For instance, legions have called for by-city data but Morrow said it might give people a false sense of security meaning that if it were released that there were two cases in City A, that people in City B will feel safer — when that may not be the case.
Still, there is an opportunity to explore more contact tracing. There are typically two ways to get out of a virus’ way: Natural immunity over time or that through a vaccine, the latter of which is not yet available and former which will take a while, Morrow said, so there is containment. The typical course is identifying someone who contracts the disease, then containing and isolating. Contact tracing means health officials follow up with who they have had contact with to determine their condition. That was manageable when the case count was low, but now more difficult. Bay Area counties are now exploring ways to better manage the data and ensure it works with the state database. This will help with containment.
This is coming together through constant contact with the other Bay Area health officers, who have worked closely since the beginning of the outbreak and even coordinated the shelter-in-place order for Monday, March 16. That order has been criticized by some but largely pointed to as what kept the Bay Area’s total case count and deaths low.
Recommended for you
That working relationship is nothing new. In fact, the officers work together as part of the Association of Bay Area Health Officials, which was founded during the AIDS/HIV epidemic in the 1980s.
“We meet constantly, we’re friends, we communicate all the time, which allowed us to put this into place,” he said.
That was no small feat considering the region’s population would make it the 15th largest state in the country. All officials, Morrow included, rely on models to determine the potential impact. The models showed the potential impact without intervention, and also what happened with it. The curve was clearly flattened, and while the model projected ICU beds would run out in early April, then this week, it appears that is no longer the case because of the shelter-in-place order.
“There was a sense of if we do this right, we’ll never reach that what New York is going through,” he said.
Morrow took some heat for his strong words on March 23 when he suggested people not following the orders were “spitting in the face” of others, but while the tone in his most recent order mellowed, the urgency was still there.
“I was frustrated on the 23rd, but people got religion,” he said. “Things have changed. Most people are paying attention but people are fatigued. [Sheltering in place] is a difficult thing to do. But I don’t know what that means for the future.”
Still, he does think about the impact of sheltering in place on mental health and the economy, and that impact on public health. But it’s important to note, he said, that the order didn’t destroy the economy, it was the pandemic.
And he won’t offer up any predictions.
“I know it will gradually improve, but I don’t know how long it will take,” he said, adding it’s important not to let up on social distancing as that could lead to second, third and fourth waves. “I think it will be a long time.”
Jon Mays is the editor in chief of the Daily Journal. He can be reached at jon@smdailyjournal.com. Follow Jon on Twitter @jonmays.
Sorry, but it seems to me Dr. Morrow is seeking attention by making questionable edicts and by making the decision to not report data. If other counties are providing city specific data, what is Dr. Morrow hiding? Is this a unilateral decision? Where's the evidence that people are getting a false sense of security? If Dr. Morrow is so worried, put in a disclaimer, but provide the data.
I researched him a little. He gave an interview to the NYT on March 12 about how this is his "style" and how he would talk to patients in his internal medicine practice (personally, I would find a new doctor). I have this feeling like something is really off with him, especially after finding that piece in the times. And I stand by feeling like he is acting unilaterally.
I'm not hiding anything.. except city data. I'm releasing data as soon as I get it.. unless it could lead to people interpreting the data in a way I don't want them to. He's doing a good job overall and his intentions may be honorable- that is not the question. The problem is he is putting public data on a need to know basis and the arbiter of what the public gets to know. is him.
Terence - I agree. Dr. Morrow doesn't give me a great feeling about living in San Mateo County right now. Should his role be creating public policy or informing it? I really feel like it should be the latter, as the former is the role of our elected officials. It really seems that he has free license to take this as far as he feels he needs to go, and it appears he is unforthcoming with data and information. He also has a questionable temperament, demonstrated in the directives he has issued. I would feel better about the things he is imposing if it weren't unilaterally his decision.
I'm not one to manipulate people.. except I will only release data that suits my desired narrative and withold data that does not until it can be cooked to be suitable. This is the very definition of manipulation.
This man needs to be fired. The data is public property, not his to mete out as he sees fit. Is he claiming we are less responsible than LA and SF counties, places where that data is readily available? This man’s ego is hurting us all.
There no tyranny like petty tyranny, millions of residents in the Bay Area loses their freedom because of the blind faith we have on the so-called "experts" same one that said no need for face mask months ago...
God forbid he should let out any data that would make anyone feel safer. This is the wrong man to be in such a place of power right now. He is absolutely manipulating everyone. We have the strictest edicts in the country with comparatively few cases.
Scott Morrow's suggesting that "people not following the orders were 'spitting in the face' of others" is a weak and poor example of his irresponsible and hyperbolic messages to the public. How about his saying "I would describe the current situation as somewhere between dire and catastrophic" over a month ago on one of Jackie Speer's telephonic town halls? That was when San Mateo county had zero deaths. I believe in social distancing, I believe in many of the efforts that are being made, and I am abiding by all of the parameters of the shelter in place. With that said, I was appalled to see zero fall out from his having made that statement. The public should absolutely put on their critical thinking hats and demand data from a public official whose dramatic statements led the Bay Area and the rest of the country down a path that has resulted in job and income losses for so many. I'm not protesting for the shelter in place to be lifted. I believe that most of these precautions were prudent. But with that said, I think the public should be questioning him, and I think he's more concerned with soaking up the attention that he gets from his dramatic way of speaking than he is with realizing and taking responsibility for the impact that his hyperbolic statements have on others' lives.
Agree with the comments here that the withholding of information by Morrow is inexcusable. In addition to the city data, Santa Clara County also provides long term care facility data which San Mateo does not. This is critical because we know that several of the deaths have occurred in these facilities. Our elected county board of supervisors needs to step up in its oversight role of Morrow and require that this information be provided to the public. Additionally, the shelter in place orders need to be modified once the current one expires. The strict, blanket approach was understandable 6 weeks ago. Now, a more nuanced approach is more appropriate. Clearly, our most vulnerable populations need heightened protection, as the recent order re: nursing facilities requires. In contrast, school closures need to be critically examined in light of the muted health impact of the virus on children vs the deleterious effect to their education (and yes, I understand that they could be asymptomatic carriers, which reinforces the need for heightened protection of the most vulnerable). Also, examining opening public spaces and allowing certain jobs and activities that can be accomplished while observing social distancing.
Scott Morrow is an unelected person who is leveling edicts upon 700,000 people in our county without any accountability. He has presented no facts as to why these edicts are making us more safe. At a minimum he needs to hold hearings and provide us with facts, not biased science as to why he is holding down the people of our county. He is acting as a dictator. I agree with many of the posts here that the facts do not merit the actions taken by Scott Morrow and he needs to be held accountable, This is an abuse of power and it’s questionable that the state legislature has the power to give an unelected person this much power to remove the rights of citizens. Scott Morrow must answer to us as taxpayers of this county!
Dr. Morrow needs to provide more transparency. We pay hefty taxes to the county and there should be more accountability. Maybe he's so grumpy because his time has come, he's been with the county for over 20 years. He has nice job security while making questionable choices that impact the employment for many thousands of people in this county. We need someone that will welcome feedback, provide transparency and help us tax paying citizens understand these decisions!!! Fire Morrow NOW!
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO
personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who
make comments. Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Anyone violating these rules will be issued a
warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be
revoked.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
(15) comments
Sorry, but it seems to me Dr. Morrow is seeking attention by making questionable edicts and by making the decision to not report data. If other counties are providing city specific data, what is Dr. Morrow hiding? Is this a unilateral decision? Where's the evidence that people are getting a false sense of security? If Dr. Morrow is so worried, put in a disclaimer, but provide the data.
I researched him a little. He gave an interview to the NYT on March 12 about how this is his "style" and how he would talk to patients in his internal medicine practice (personally, I would find a new doctor). I have this feeling like something is really off with him, especially after finding that piece in the times. And I stand by feeling like he is acting unilaterally.
Well said. Acting unilaterally = dictator!
I'm not hiding anything.. except city data. I'm releasing data as soon as I get it.. unless it could lead to people interpreting the data in a way I don't want them to. He's doing a good job overall and his intentions may be honorable- that is not the question. The problem is he is putting public data on a need to know basis and the arbiter of what the public gets to know. is him.
Terence - I agree. Dr. Morrow doesn't give me a great feeling about living in San Mateo County right now. Should his role be creating public policy or informing it? I really feel like it should be the latter, as the former is the role of our elected officials. It really seems that he has free license to take this as far as he feels he needs to go, and it appears he is unforthcoming with data and information. He also has a questionable temperament, demonstrated in the directives he has issued. I would feel better about the things he is imposing if it weren't unilaterally his decision.
I'm not one to manipulate people.. except I will only release data that suits my desired narrative and withold data that does not until it can be cooked to be suitable. This is the very definition of manipulation.
This man needs to be fired. The data is public property, not his to mete out as he sees fit. Is he claiming we are less responsible than LA and SF counties, places where that data is readily available? This man’s ego is hurting us all.
Fire Scott Morrow now!
There no tyranny like petty tyranny, millions of residents in the Bay Area loses their freedom because of the blind faith we have on the so-called "experts" same one that said no need for face mask months ago...
God forbid he should let out any data that would make anyone feel safer. This is the wrong man to be in such a place of power right now. He is absolutely manipulating everyone. We have the strictest edicts in the country with comparatively few cases.
Agree 100%. Zero accountability!
Scott Morrow's suggesting that "people not following the orders were 'spitting in the face' of others" is a weak and poor example of his irresponsible and hyperbolic messages to the public. How about his saying "I would describe the current situation as somewhere between dire and catastrophic" over a month ago on one of Jackie Speer's telephonic town halls? That was when San Mateo county had zero deaths. I believe in social distancing, I believe in many of the efforts that are being made, and I am abiding by all of the parameters of the shelter in place. With that said, I was appalled to see zero fall out from his having made that statement. The public should absolutely put on their critical thinking hats and demand data from a public official whose dramatic statements led the Bay Area and the rest of the country down a path that has resulted in job and income losses for so many. I'm not protesting for the shelter in place to be lifted. I believe that most of these precautions were prudent. But with that said, I think the public should be questioning him, and I think he's more concerned with soaking up the attention that he gets from his dramatic way of speaking than he is with realizing and taking responsibility for the impact that his hyperbolic statements have on others' lives.
Agree with the comments here that the withholding of information by Morrow is inexcusable. In addition to the city data, Santa Clara County also provides long term care facility data which San Mateo does not. This is critical because we know that several of the deaths have occurred in these facilities. Our elected county board of supervisors needs to step up in its oversight role of Morrow and require that this information be provided to the public. Additionally, the shelter in place orders need to be modified once the current one expires. The strict, blanket approach was understandable 6 weeks ago. Now, a more nuanced approach is more appropriate. Clearly, our most vulnerable populations need heightened protection, as the recent order re: nursing facilities requires. In contrast, school closures need to be critically examined in light of the muted health impact of the virus on children vs the deleterious effect to their education (and yes, I understand that they could be asymptomatic carriers, which reinforces the need for heightened protection of the most vulnerable). Also, examining opening public spaces and allowing certain jobs and activities that can be accomplished while observing social distancing.
Scott Morrow is an unelected person who is leveling edicts upon 700,000 people in our county without any accountability. He has presented no facts as to why these edicts are making us more safe. At a minimum he needs to hold hearings and provide us with facts, not biased science as to why he is holding down the people of our county. He is acting as a dictator. I agree with many of the posts here that the facts do not merit the actions taken by Scott Morrow and he needs to be held accountable, This is an abuse of power and it’s questionable that the state legislature has the power to give an unelected person this much power to remove the rights of citizens. Scott Morrow must answer to us as taxpayers of this county!
Dr. Morrow needs to provide more transparency. We pay hefty taxes to the county and there should be more accountability. Maybe he's so grumpy because his time has come, he's been with the county for over 20 years. He has nice job security while making questionable choices that impact the employment for many thousands of people in this county. We need someone that will welcome feedback, provide transparency and help us tax paying citizens understand these decisions!!! Fire Morrow NOW!
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.