The Des Moines Register is arguing this morning that the “public deserves information about H1N1.”  If only that were what the Register was really after. 

Through hospitals, physicians and public health agencies, the public has access to plenty of information about H1N1.  That information has focused on the most important factors:  what the virus is and how to protect yourself from it. 

What Register editors and reporters want – really want – are the names and addresses of Iowans who have died from H1N1.  That’s part of the essential job of newspapers, to get the “who” and “where” of hot stories.  But it’s not the job of the Iowa Department of Public Health to provide that information, directly or indirectly. 

In its editorial, the Register tries to mask its intentions.  Recognizing that IDPH can’t legally release names and addresses of H1N1 victims, the editorial claims reporters want only “as much information as legally possible – not in the interest of gossip but in the interest of Iowans protecting themselves…”  Just how more information will make that happen, the Register never explains.  

But the editorial does go on to show the newspaper’s true colors, saying it’s no big deal if the public learns the names and addresses of the victim (“Some people will figure it out anyway…” the editorial shrugs), as long as IDPH doesn’t break the law (which, of course, would immediately make headlines).  Based on the Register’s standards, why not release information about each Iowan who contracts H1N1? 

Thankfully, IDPH doesn’t appear to be ready to play so fast and loose with this sensitive information.  IDPH has an obligation to protect that information, because there is nothing more personal and private than a person’s health records. 

But it’s more than just protecting people’s privacy.  IDPH’s primary mission is to protect the public.  That mission is not served by giving out more information about H1N1 fatalities.  In fact, it runs counter to that mission, because it feeds amateur speculation about how the virus is spread, where it exists and who might get it.  It might lead people to be even more lackadaisical about taking precautions, or it might lead people to overreact, to demand schools or workplaces be closed and individuals quarantined. 

To be sure, these could be real issues, but they are issues we trust the health care professionals at IDPH to address. 

Let IDPH do its important work, which does not include supplying newspapers with fodder for the next news cycle.