Let’s work through an example to review all the concepts covered in this section. This is a chance for you to practice what you’ve just learned — your answers will not be tracked. Enjoy.
Check Your Understanding
Your department is investigating a trichloroethylene spill into your city’s water supply. There is a lot of public outrage and many in the community perceive that the health department doesn’t care and isn’t doing much about the situation. You need to engage the public immediately.
1. What is the best course of action you could take?
Sorry.
The answer is C.
Holding public meetings will let the public vent their emotions and allow you to respond to specific concerns people have.
Building a relationship with organizations should happen before incidents occur.
Handing out fact sheets does not change the community’s high level of outrage and their perception that “big government” doesn’t care.
Good job!
Holding public meetings will let the public vent their emotions and allow you to respond to specific concerns people have.
Building a relationship with organizations should happen before incidents occur.
Handing out fact sheets does not change the community’s high level of outrage and their perception that “big government” doesn’t care.
You have announced that there will be at least two public meetings.
2. Which the strategy would not help you prepare.
Sorry.
The answer is B. The other strategies would help you prepare for public meetings, bringing in a panel of scientists would not help you prepare for public meetings.
Good job!
Good job! The other strategies would help you prepare for public meetings, bringing in a panel of scientists would not help you prepare for public meetings.
Imagine you are in a library packed with 200 concerned members of the public. From the outset of the meeting, the atmosphere has been charged with tension. The tension starts to dissipate after you give the results of a year and a half study, which found no adverse health effects from the spill. Tension lowers even more after you answer questions from the audience. People are more relaxed and receptive to your messages.
Suddenly, this situation happens — view the video below:
Dr. Paul Wiesner
And we were just finishing up and were about to close the meeting when a young woman walked through the back door and walked up to the microphone. And she got up to the microphone and she said,
“You’re Dr. Wiesner, right?”
And I said, “That’s correct.”
“Can I ask some questions?”
And I said, “That’s actually why we’re here.”
And she said, “Would you drink this water?”
And I said, “Yes, I’ve been here to Battle Creek several times during this study and I drank this water just like I would drink it at home.”
And she said, “Do you have any children?”
And I said, “Well, I have three kids,” and I gave their ages.
And she said, “Well my one year old here has been sick from some strange, unusual illness. The doctors can’t find out what’s causing it. It’s from this water that we’ve been drinking. And ever since we moved here six months ago, our baby has been sick. And it’s from this water. Now Dr. Wiesner, would you let your children drink this water?”
I said, “Well, my children have not been to Battle Creek. Sometimes they go on business trips with me, and if they had been here, I’d certainly would’ve let them, I would’ve been encouraging them to drink the water because water is good for them.”
And she said, “Dr. Wiesner, you know what?”
And I said, “No, what?”
“You’re stupid.”
3. If you were in Dr. Wiesner’s place, how would you respond to this woman?
Sorry.
The answer is A. You should have expressed sympathy, described the testing that was done, and offered to pursue the issue further. Watch how Dr. Wiesner responded in the video below.
Dr. Paul Wiesner
Ma’am, I am really sorry that your child is sick. I know that you feel that the water has caused your child’s illness. We’ve studied this with the best possible methods and have concluded that this water is safe. So whatever is causing your child’s illness, I would be very happy to get together with you and Dr. Jones, the local health officer here, and see what we can do to line up medical care for your child.
Good job!
Watch how Dr. Wiesner responded in the video below.
Dr. Paul Wiesner
Ma’am, I am really sorry that your child is sick. I know that you feel that the water has caused your child’s illness. We’ve studied this with the best possible methods and have concluded that this water is safe. So whatever is causing your child’s illness, I would be very happy to get together with you and Dr. Jones, the local health officer here, and see what we can do to line up medical care for your child.