Policy Corner: Why we don't often disclose details about COVID-19 victims

Amid the torrent of questions we receive through our coronavirus@dailyherald.com email address are those that ask, "Why don't you report the names and addresses of people who die from COVID-19?" "Why don't you tell us what the underlying conditions are for people who die from COVID-19?"

And "Someone at work is sick with COVID-19. Why won't my boss tell me who it is?"

To be clear, I've paraphrased from the many, many emails we've received. But these accurately represent the themes of such inquiries.

When we learn that someone from our coverage area has died from the virus, we reach out to the family to see if they are willing to participate in a story about that person. If the family is reticent, we don't pursue it. We respect their privacy.

When we write stories about people who've gotten sick or have recovered from COVID-19, we do so with their participation and approval.

President Bill Clinton signed into law the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects your privacy as a patient. Health care providers must limit who can see your health records.

That's the reason why we don't publish details about specific people - unless they or their families agree to it.

It's also the reason county health departments and the Illinois Department of Health do not disclose such things.

HIPAA also is the reason why your employer will not disclose to you who at your workplace is sick. The person who is sick tells your employer with whom he or she has been in contact and then you are notified if you're one of those contacts.

We're not covering it up. It's the law.