THREAD: NO COMMENT when I asked North Mississippi Health Services for an update on COVID-19 infections in patients/caregivers.

3 days ago, my heart broke for the family of Marion Regional Nursing Home nurse, Rose Harrison, after she died following a COVID-19 infection.

She had been working at the Hamilton, Alabama facility that is operated by as recently as last Friday. She died Monday night. Her life's mission was to help and care for people. She died after doing what she loved and what she thought was right.

After our story, many of you contacted us with additional tips about possible cases at the same facility - either in patients or other caregivers. We reached out to the hospital's communication representatives and legal team.

I'm sharing pictures of these responses for the many who have asked us to inquire. As of now, @ALPublicHealth only releases information about the county of infection, and recently some other demographics that are listed on its website.

When it comes to businesses or care facilities, reporters are at their mercy whether they choose to be transparent or not. While health privacy laws are in place and important, we're not asking for names.

We're asking for numbers and context. Do you feel it is the public's right to know if an employee at a place of business or a caregiver/patient at a healthcare facility tests positive? Here are screen grabs of my questions and responses from NMHS:

Here's what @ALPublicHealth released about the reporting policy. See me questions and their answers in the emails.