Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago, mixed messages from public health professionals have occasionally left Americans confused about the best course of action, leading to political and social disagreements about everything from mask policies to vaccine incentives to business reopenings.

On March 11, 2020, the Wyoming Department of Health announced the state’s first lab-confirmed case of “coronavirus disease 2019,” long before anyone knew how devastating the COVID-19 pandemic would turn out to be.

Growing up in Texas and South Dakota, Zach Beam, 34, never wanted to be a teacher. In fact, he initially pursued an engineering degree when he left home for Black Hills State University.