Erie County Health Department 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202

"Called ECHD and call was answered on third ring and was transferred to the epidemiology dept where they answered my questions. People I spoke to were very polite and kind. Give them 5 stars"

"I just spoke to the most disrespectful Representative I have ever experienced. She was very unprofessional and gave a very abrupt answer to my question regarding this company's rodent baiting program. I would hope that the ECHD is providing it's employees on how to communicate with the public."

"- No safe shelter quarantine plan. - No concern for the health crisis of homelessness, even during pandemic. - Phone calls sometimes unanswered. - Phone calls not returned. - Disparate answers from different staff members. - Failed to ensure compliance with pandemic safety guidelines (mask-wearing, hand-washing, physical distancing, etc.). ECDOH has had no plan for, and no apparent intention toward, providing safe non-congregate shelter for persons experiencing homelessness -- despite any funding the County might have received from pandemic assistance packages -- even during the Covid-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, ECDOH refused to recognize that Housing is a Human Right, and that Housing is Healthcare -- those refusals have continued. ECDOH refused to proactively shelter homeless persons, as safety measure for not only those persons themselves, but the community at large -- even during the height of the pandemic. ECDOH refused to safely shelter persons experiencing homelessness during their 10-day quarantine period (such as is directed when awaiting Covid-19 test results, and in cases of exposure and/or travel). Phone lines are not always answered. Not only are calls not returned in timely fashion (despite that some outgoing messages do guarantee reply within a certain timeframe), calls are also not returned at all. Depending on with whom one has spoken, one might have received completely opposing answers, to the same exact question, from two or more employees. Referred phone numbers for directors of organizations who had no idea why they were receiving such calls, as their organization did not handle such matters as were pursued. Whatever pandemic funding ECDOH may have received, it has not shown. Professionalism, and recognition of *all* persons as worthwhile individuals deserving of dignity, best efforts, and common decency, at least somewhat, to very much, lacking. Recommend: better oversight; far greater transparency; better training -- for serving *all* members of our community; better awareness; improve allocation of resources."

"I have had to call the ECDOH a couple of times with questions about COVID-19 and recommended procedures. The staff I've spoken with have been unfailingly professional, knowledgeable and polite. I believe their job is very challenging and calls for extreme patience. The staff is superb in my opinion and are to be commended for their hard work. We are fortunate to have them to help us!"