Basel Simon/Jackson Cloyd: contact tracers

KPFTOJ

Among the methods used to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus (pandemic) - beyond hand-washing, social distancing, masking up and getting tested is the process known as contact tracing. If someone tests positive for COVID-19, a contact tracer from the Houston Health department will contact you by phone, email or text message. Making a choice to work with contact tracers helps protect your family and your community by slowing the spread of COVID-19. It involves tracking down persons who may have interacted with someone who has contracted the virus and informing them they should self-quarantine, among other things. The City of Houston has hired hundreds of contact tracers to assist in getting a handle on this deadly pandemic. Many of us have only heard anecdotal information about this process; some of it perhaps not fully accurate, some even incorrect or misleading. Joining us this week on OJ to discuss their job as contact tracers are Basel Simon, a graduate of Michael E. Debakey HS and current junior at Vaughn College in NYC as well as Jackson Cloyd, a graduate of Houston Academy for International Studies (HAIS) and junior at the University of Houston. They are both global citizens and Eagle Scouts that have served as friends and volunteers to KPFT. Basel and Jackson, welcome back and thank you for joining us today.