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Community Leaders Urge Community Fight COVID-19

December 06, 2020

Ram Family- -we made it through the fall semester in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we still have a long way to go on this journey together.

Yes, there is a vaccine on the horizon; however, we will still be wearing masks and social distancing for many months to come. I mentioned during our President’s Meeting yesterday that we will most likely be wearing a mask through the entire spring semester, and I truly believe that will be the case.

I want to pass along the community letter authored by Shane Plymell, CEO Shannon Medical Center, and ask that everyone continues to be mindful of the need to maintain proper precautions. We will send out information next week regarding the process for vaccination against the COVID-19 virus. In the meantime, please remain vigilant as we move through the holiday season.

Best- -rdhjr


December 3, 2020


To our family, friends and neighbors,

As community leaders, we all share the same mission of providing the best quality of life for all individuals and families who live, work, play and learn in San Angelo and its surrounding areas. When that quality of life is threatened, we must unite together to protect our citizens.

We are at a critical stage in our community regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been an alarmingly significant increase in COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization over the last 10 days. This follows a spike in the positivity rate, which has led to an exponential surge in active cases in our community. This increase has greatly impacted the availability of ICU beds and general medical beds, as well as staffing in our hospitals.

If we continue to see an increase in this rate, then we could run out of space and staff not only for COVID patients but for patients with other medical needs, as well. We could overwhelm our doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who have already been working countless hours to care for all of their patients.

We all need to take care of the people who take care of us. Our community is the frontline defense for COVID-19. You have the power to make a difference.

Local businesses also need your help and support so they can continue to feed the economy and their own households. Equally important is ensuring that our children can continue to learn, grow and thrive in the classroom as they always have.

We cannot turn our situation around without the help of this community. Please join our team as we finish this marathon together. While we anticipate the vaccine becoming available in the coming months, we are not at the finish line yet. By following the proper precautions – wearing a mask over your nose and mouth, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings and washing your hands often – you can help restore San Angelo back to the healthy, thriving place it was before we were hit with COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Shane Plymell, President & CEO
Shannon Medical Center

Brenda Gunter, Mayor
City of San Angelo, Texas – City Government

Daniel Valenzuela, City Manager
City of San Angelo, Texas – City Government

Dr. Carl Dethloff, Superintendent
San Angelo ISD

Col. Andres R. Nazario, Commander 17th Training Wing
Goodfellow AFB - 17th Training Wing

Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr., President
Angelo State University

Jamie Rainey, Workforce & Community Development Officer
Howard College San Angelo