Dr. Mandy Cohen Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Mandy Cohen has provided steady guidance to the people of North Carolina. As the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), she’s played an integral role in shaping the cautious approach that’s kept her state from experiencing large surges in COVID-19 patients.
Cohen came to the public’s attention following frequent government COVID-19 briefings and updates. With her calm, straightforward and compassionate presence, she’s become a trusted and respected source for citizens. Cohen recently was recognized for her role during the COVID-19 crisis by Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, receiving its 2020 Alumni Award for Leadership in Public Health Practice. Before starting her current position in 2017, she was chief operating officer and chief of staff at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in Washington, D.C.
Jewish Journal: How did you go from working in Washington to NCDHHS secretary?
Mandy Cohen: I knew my job would be ending because I worked for the Obama administration and there was a new administration coming in. So, I started looking at different opportunities. I had never even been to Raleigh (the capital of North Carolina) before my interview. At the time, my husband and I had two daughters, [ages] 2 and 4. We had no family here, and it was a big leap. I credit my husband, because without even missing a beat, he told me that I needed to explore this opportunity. His support made it possible.
JJ: How did you prepare for such a change in culture?
MC: The first thing we did was look for a synagogue, even before looking for a house. We were very connected to the Jewish community in D.C. and loved it. We looked for a Jewish community to join here. We chose Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh and bought a house nearby. They were warm and welcoming, and made our transition seamless. We made many good friends there and they quickly made us feel a part of things. They’ve been wonderful to lean on. Being a part of the Jewish community has really anchored us as a family.
JJ: Can you discuss the chai necklace you always wear?
MC: When I first came to North Carolina, I had an official photo taken that hangs in various buildings associated with my department. I had a discussion with my husband about whether or not I should wear my chai in the photo, and I made the decision to wear it. I also wear it at press conferences. It’s part of my Jewish identity. I thought it could start conversations, and it has. It’s an opportunity to talk about being Jewish — how this is Hebrew, how it’s about life and a symbol of Judaism. It was a gift from my mom, and so it’s been a source of strength and comfort, along with a connection to my Jewish heritage.
JJ: Have you heard from any members of the public about it?
MC: I’ve gotten a few really nice notes from Jewish women who have said that because they were living in the South, they were self-conscious about wearing their chai. But after seeing me, they felt more confident to wear it. Those messages really mean a lot to me.
JJ: Are you as tired of COVID-19 as everyone else?
MC: I want this gone as much as anyone, and I miss the same things everyone else does. I haven’t seen my family or hugged my parents. We aren’t seeing friends. We’re all so weary of this. We’re just trying to help people find the fortitude to go on and get through it. I promise this will end. I can’t say when, but it will end. For now, it’s one more Zoom meeting, one more online classroom. It’s an uncomfortable and scary time, but we’ll get through this if we can care for each other.
JJ: What’s it like when you’re having so many questions thrown at you?
MC: I actually like when I get hard questions, because I welcome the opportunity to walk people through our thought process. I want it to be more than just saying, “This is the decision.” It’s important to explain why we make those decisions, so people can understand.
JJ: Do you have moments of feeling overwhelmed or stressed?
MC: It’s not that I don’t have those moments, but my job is to calmly lay out the facts and the science, and to explain it. But we’re in a crisis and like anyone else, I get overwhelmed and frustrated.
JJ: North Carolina has taken a more cautious approach than neighboring Southern states. This has angered some business owners. How does it feel when they direct their frustration at you?
MC: I understand the anger. These are heartbreaking times, and closing someone’s business is awful. I think there should be more economic help for people whose businesses are closed through no fault of their own. I feel for the bar owners. I understand the frustration. The virus doesn’t talk back, so some people direct their anger at me. It’s a normal emotion. But I’m not the enemy; the virus is the enemy.
JJ: How frustrating is it that some people still don’t take COVID-19 seriously?
MC: Everyone internalizes risk differently. My job is to protect all of public health, and I respect that everyone is different and will make different choices. But I have a different standard for our leaders when it comes to thinking about the collective good. I expect more from leaders, whether they’re business leaders, faith leaders or elected officials.
JJ: You’ve been asked how you manage it all — having a family and such a demanding job. Does it bother you to be asked that?
MC: It doesn’t bother me because I think it’s a perfectly legitimate question. But it’s a legitimate question for anyone, woman or man. It’s something many people have to balance. With my situation, I have the best husband. He’s doing most of the house things now like food shopping, cooking, schoolwork. He’s not only a brilliant legal policy thinker [and health care regulatory lawyer] but a great husband and dad. He’s been 100% supportive. When I have my moments of being overwhelmed, he’s there. And when my car breaks down, he’s there.
Allison Futterman is a writer living in North Carolina.
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