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At the very moment the United States needed its public health infrastructure the most, many local health departments had all but crumbled, proving ill-equipped to carry out basic functions let alone serve as the last line of defense against the most acute threat to the nation’s health in generations. Epidemiologists, academics and local health officials across the country say the nation’s public health system is one of many weaknesses that continue to leave the United States poorly prepared to handle the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 180,000 lives in the country. (Janes and Wan, 8/31)

Kaiser Health News: Public Health Officials Are Our COVID Commanders. Treat Them With Respect.  
As a veteran who served back-to-back tours in Iraq, I initially cringed when commentators compared the COVID-19 crisis to wartime — no bullets, no blood and no one volunteered for this. But after my months of reporting on the pandemic, it has become painfully clear this is like war. People are dying every day as a result of government decisions — and indecision — and the death toll is climbing with no end in sight. (Hart, 9/1)

Directors leading Hawaii’s health and public safety department are retiring amid a surge in coronarvirus cases on Oahu and an ongoing outbreak at the state’s largest jail. Gov. David Ige announced Monday the retirements of Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson and Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda. (8/31)

In other health care worker news —

Kaiser Health News: Long-Fought Nurse Practitioner Independence Bill Heads To Newsom 
After years of failed attempts and vociferous opposition, California lawmakers on Monday adopted a measure to grant nurse practitioners the ability to practice without doctor supervision — but only after making big concessions to the powerful doctors’ lobby, which nonetheless remains opposed. The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration, fenced in by amendments that would stringently limit how much independence nurse practitioners — nurses with advanced training and degrees — can have to practice medicine. (Bluth, 9/1)

After spending another shift inside Parkland Memorial Hospital’s COVID-19 operation, I’m cautiously encouraged: Both the patient load and the overall feel of the place were lighter. That’s not cause for any of us to tear off our masks and act the fool during the Labor Day weekend. The more we North Texans do the right thing -- cover up and socially distance -- the more likely that things continue to improve at Parkland. (Grigsby, 8/31)

A California man who authorities said has ties to the extremist anti-government Boogaloo movement has been charged in connection with two dozen harassing or threatening letters sent to Santa Clara County's top public health official, according to a police report and court records. Alan Joseph Viarengo, 55, of Gilroy, has not yet entered a plea but is facing two felony charges including stalking and threatening a public official in connection with 24 letters that were sent to Dr. Sara Cody between April 9 and July 29, according to court documents. (Bott, Handa and Blankstein, 9/1)

Every day on every news channel, teenage siblings Prabhleen and Mantej Lamba watched the sacrifices of medical workers around the world who risk their physical and mental health on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.“We were really moved by this,” said Prabhleen, 15, “and we knew that we had to involve our community and take action. ”So in the spirit of the Sikh faith’s core principle of “seva,” or selfless service, the San Francisco Bay area teens launched an initiative they called Cards 4 Covid Heroes to let health care workers know how much they’re appreciated. (Andres Henao, 8/31)