Hot Topics     Home and Family    

Hudson Valley Parent writer tells all on contact tracing



A new career opens up in the age of a pandemic

COVID-19, virus, corona, tracer, tracing


A contact tracer, according to MJ Hanley-Goff, a former editor of HVP, occasional writer, and now a certified contact tracer, they are individuals who make “private and confidential calls, conducted with compassion, to those who tested Covid positive to checking in on their symptoms, and encourage them to provide the names and numbers of people they’d been in contact with during their incubation period.”  The optimum word is “compassion.” 

Says Hanley-Goff, “we learned that for a client – the term for someone who tested positive with Covid – to be forthcoming with their friends, or work colleagues, the contact tracer has to have tact, and be aware of how to handle such a personal conversation.”

Hanley-Goff took the free, multi-hour course provided by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and passed the final test to receive a certificate. 

Contact Tracers are being hired throughout the Hudson Valley, to not only find others who may have been infected, but also to support them as they isolate. Once the program is up and running, Hudson Valley families may expect a call that will go something like this:

Once the contact tracer receives the phone numbers of positive Covid patients, they will call them, and first identify themselves as a tracer, and confirm the identity of the client. Then begins a series of questions about their symptoms, whether they’d been in touch with their physician, and who they were with during their contagious period.  They’ll be asked “open” and “probing” questions rather than questions that can be answered either by a “yes” or “no.”  (Which makes information gathering difficult.)

Learn about contact tracing scams here

Tracers will be listening for any shortness of breath by the client, or any confusion which may be a sign that their symptoms may be severe. If they notice any physical stress, the tracer will contact their supervisor.  Tracers ask how the client is self-isolating, and if so, how they are receiving supplies, like food and medicine. If the client lives alone and needs any assistance with a landlord or employer, the tracer will refer them to social services agencies.

The contact tracking program is an effort that has received the support of former New York City Michael Bloomberg and his Bloomberg Philanthropies, which will contribute $10.5 million to the program and help organize it with The Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. “We’re all eager to begin loosening restrictions on our daily lives and our economy,” Bloomberg said in a statement. “But in order to do that as safely as possible, we first have to put in place systems to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus and support them as they isolate.”



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Kids aren't eating fruits and veggies

    Happiest Baby's Dr. Harvey Karp has tips to change that

    A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 32% of 1- to 5-year-olds did not eat a single piece of fruit a day and nearly one half (~49%) didn't eat any vegetables a day. Roughly 51% drank a sugar-sweetened beverage, like fruit drinks or soda, at least once a week. read more »
  • 5 sleep habits essential for heart health

    Make sure you get your zzz's with these tips

    In the days following a time change due to daylight saving time, research shows a marked increase in heart attacks and strokes. However, losing sleep anytime can be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. read more »
  • Take these 6 steps to manage your blood pressure

    Hypertension can be dangerous

    High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the United States, and only about 1 in 4 with this condition have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). read more »
  • Make your St. Patrick's Day spread green with envy

    These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or an appetizer

    Freshen up your St. Patrick’s Day menu with easy, light sandwiches inspired by the traditional color of the festivities. These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or even as an appetizer for get-togethers with friends and family. read more »
  • Lucky mint brownie perfection

    A twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate

    How lucky you must be to come across this recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This one is a twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate that’s sure to have almost anyone’s taste buds screaming “yum.” This dessert might just be the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow this year. read more »
  • 3 ways parents can encourage social emotional learning in children

    Parents focus on social emotional skills, mental health, kindness and understanding differences

    Most parents would agree the quality of their children’s education plays a key role in their overall development. While parents are optimistic about the future of education, they also recognize children have educational needs beyond what is considered the standard. read more »
  • Selecting a health care provider

    Resources to guide your selection

    Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility, especially if you’re just getting started with Medicare or have changes in your life, such as a new diagnosis of a condition or disease. It can be overwhelming if you need services like nursing home care, have to find a new doctor or get home health care. read more »
  • 5 simple solutions for proper nasal hygiene

    Keep your nasal passages clean, clear and moisturized

    Your nose is essential for conditioning the air you breathe and serves as the first line of defense against dust, pollution, bacteria, viruses and more. The presence of these substances in your nasal passages can trigger infections, disease and illness. read more »
  • Have a bump on your foot?

    Don’t ignore it

    Have a lump or bump on your foot? Whether it’s painful or not, it could potentially signal a serious condition. Foot and ankle surgeons warn it’s important to have it checked out, no matter its size or location on your foot. read more »
  • Fun Easter 'Egg-turnatives'

    4 creative alternatives to decorating eggs this Easter

    While decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back centuries, the high cost of eggs may make it more difficult for some families this year. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find creative ways to keep the season special and create memories with loved ones. read more »