Proclamation
Whereas, the first Monday in March, has been designated as COVID -19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day; and
Whereas, COVID-19 is a virus that transmits from person to person, resulting in a global pandemic that has had catastrophic effects on human life, our community, and our economy; and
Whereas, throughout the pandemic, essential workers provided critical services to help protect our communities and save lives, often sacrificing their own health and safety and the health and safety of their families; and
Whereas, The City of Alameda responded to the pandemic by creating programs that sustained struggling local businesses, fed our most vulnerable community members, housed people who were unsheltered, offere d rent and income protections, set up vaccination and booster clinics , established testing locations, and shared reliable and verified information; and
Whereas, COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on low -income communities and communities of color, exacerbating inequities already prevalent in our systems that we must address as a nation and as a community; and
Whereas, COVID-19 has taken the lives of m ore than 6.8 million people worldwide, more than 1 million people in the United States, more than 100,000 people in California, and 140 Alameda residents . Each life lost to COVID -19 leaves a hole in the hearts of loved ones, family members, and the surrounding community; and
Whereas, the long-term health implications for survivors is largely unknown, as many survivors suffer with lingering side -effects of the disease long after they no longer test positive. Public health guidance encourages people to take steps to lower the risk of becoming infected or spreading COVID-19 and other viruses, including getting vaccinated and boosted, staying home if you are sick, wearing a high -quality, well -fitted mask indoors, testing and seeking treatment right away if you are positive and have symptoms, covering your cough and sneezes, and washing your hands frequently.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that I, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor of the City of Alameda, on behalf of the Alameda City Council, do hereby designate the first Monday in March as “COVID - 19 Memorial Day ,” in remembrance of those who lost their lives, and in honor of those who continue to suffer from the impact of this deadly virus.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Mayor
City of Alameda, California
March 7, 2023