M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Members of the Town Council
From: Honorable Mayor Tim Meerbott
Date: July 15, 2020
Re: Thanking First Responders, the Health Care Community and All Critical Essential Employees for their brave response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
REQUEST
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, THANKING ALL FIRST RESPONDERS, THE HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY AND CRITICAL ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR BRAVE RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 PANDEMIC.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
On March 1, 2020 the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. During this time, our first responders, the health care community and critical essential employees have gone above and beyond risking their own health and safety to provide care, essential services and assist those that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have faced longer shifts and more demanding work schedules as the number of newly diagnosed cases rise and the shortage of personnel grows as more and more of their colleagues and coworkers become infected.
Health care workers have not only physically cared for their patients, but they have been emotionally supportive as well while patients are quarantined, undergo treatment, and are forced to isolate from their loved ones in order to prevent further spread of this awful disease. Sadly, in a patient’s final moments it was these health care professionals comforting and holding their hand, letting them know they are not alone. Their profession is a noble one, their unwavering commitment to continue in the face of risking further exposure to themselves and their loved ones is something that we as a community must acknowledge, and show our gratitude for the services and care they provide to each and every person that needs them.
The same is true for those critical essential workers working on the other frontlines in the battle against this pandemic - those called to remain at their post to provide goods and services that are essential to our way of life - that includes countless manufacturing workers, farmers and farm workers, restaurant workers, delivery drivers, cashiers and grocery store employees who are keeping our stores stocked and food on our tables. These brave men and women serving our community during this health crisis, like so many everyday heroes, are taking time away from their own families, often at a tremendous risk interacting with members of the public who could potentially make them and their families ill, to ensure that our residents have essential care, supplies and services, and can count on having food to eat and beverages to drink.
As the beloved television personality Mister Rogers famously said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” In these challenging times, the “helpers” are everywhere. They are our neighbors - these first responders, health care workers, farmers and farm workers, factory workers, truck drivers, postal employees, grocery store and restaurant employees, pharmacists, delivery drivers, gas station attendants, auto mechanics, civil service employees, journalists, and so many more - anyone working to keep us safe, healthy, informed and as close to our normal lives as possible.
The Town of Cutler Bay offers our sincere thanks to all those working on the front lines in the COVID-19 fight who have stepped up during this most difficult and trying time. It is important we recognize our first responders, the health care community and critical essential employees for all their heroic efforts, and the contributions and sacrifices they have made. The Town is tremendously grateful for their unwavering support and commitment to serving our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt this Resolution graciously thanking our first responders, health care community and all critical essential employees for their brave response during the COVID-19 pandemic; recognizing their hard work and heroic efforts; and letting them know the Town values their service and commitment to our community throughout this most difficult and trying time.