County Councilor Sara Scott

Councilor Sara Scott presented a proclamation on behalf of the Los Alamos County Council observing the one year milestone since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proclamation also declared Wednesday, March 24, 2021 as “Lights On, Los Alamos…and Howl!” in appreciation for all those who have helped the community.

Police Chief Dino Sgambellone accepted the proclamation at the meeting on behalf of Los Alamos County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson.

                         PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS: It has been one year since the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, and the Los Alamos County Council wishes to mark this historic milestone for our community with a moment of sadness for lives lost or forever changed, as well as an act of gratitude for all of those in our community who have helped us brave this pandemic and its far-reaching effects since March, 2020; and

WHEREAS: In sadness, we ask the community to reflect upon the lives lost nation-wide to this terrible pandemic, especially remembering those six individuals in Los Alamos who succumbed to the coronavirus this past year; and

WHEREAS: We remember and pledge our continued support to those who have contracted COVID-19; In Los Alamos, 486 individuals have been diagnosed in just one year – disrupting their lives, jeopardizing their health, and impacting their economic, social and mental well-being – in addition to the stress this terrible virus has placed upon their families, friends and loved ones, as they grapple with the after-effects and long-range impacts that are still unknown; and

WHEREAS: Vaccines provide a way to end the pandemic; We thank all those responsible for developing and testing the three approved vaccines in the U.S., including the State Department of Health. In particular, we would like to recognize Dr. Frances Lovett and Nambe Drugs and all of those supporting our local vaccine clinics, including the National Guard, health care workers and volunteers, who have administered more than 7,600 cumulative doses in Los Alamos County to date; and

WHEREAS: Beyond these sad moments, we look forward to emerging out of this pandemic, stronger and more resilient than before; We pay our respects and offer our gratitude to everyone in our community who has helped us “battle back” in the past year – with special thanks to the tireless efforts and care provided by local hospital and healthcare workers, front-line County public safety and essential services employees keeping operations running smoothly day-by-day, school teachers and staff adapting rapidly to virtual online classrooms and hybrid teaching models, and countless businesses in Los Alamos & White Rock who “kept the doors open and lights on” for business to proceed during a time that was anything but normal – just to name a few who have contributed – and we offer a heartfelt thanks to those “behind the scenes” silent heroes who have made a difference and helped a friend or neighbor during this difficult time;

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, we do hereby remember the lives lost or impacted by COVID-19 in our community this past year, and
FURTHERMORE, I do hereby declare Wednesday, March 24, 2021 as

“LIGHTS ON, LOS ALAMOS…AND HOWL!”

I urge our citizens to turn on porch lights, set out lights near homes, wave a flashlight or show other signs of lighting up the night sky – along with a community-wide howl from front doors, porch steps and windows flung wide open at 8:00 p.m. on March 24th, to join us in saying “THANK YOU” to all of those known and unsung heroes of this pandemic.

DATED this 23rd day of March 2021.