Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We all recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has tragically cut short the lives of many in the U.S. and around the world, has created great economic hardship, and has interrupted the “normal” life for all of us. We also know that the number of positive cases is growing exponentially, not just in our region, but here in Siloam Springs.
According to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement website (https://achi.net/ covid19), on November 30, Siloam Springs had 35 new cases per 10,000 residents, ranking us seventh among the ten cities of Northwest Arkansas. As of January 11, Siloam Springs had 144 new case per 10,000 residents, ranking us first out of those ten cities. This increase is putting a strain on our hospital system, as well as the hospitals throughout NWA.
We all know the standard actions we should take to minimize the spread of COVID-19, which are the Three-Ws: Wash your hands; Watch your distance; and Wear a
Mask. Those strategies will remain important for a while, and we encourage you to continue them.
However, we also now have a wonderful new resource to respond to the pandemic; safe and effective vaccines that are slowly becoming available in Siloam. Healthcare workers have already received them; our emergency responders are receiving them, employees of Siloam Spring Public Schools and JBU will be receiving them in the next week as will citizens over age 70 and other essential workers in the coming weeks. As city leaders, we are all committed to doing all we can to making COVID-19 vaccines available as quickly as possible in Siloam.
We realize that people have questions about the vaccines, so we wanted to provide you with what we believe is reliable information to answer those questions as you consider your options. (Center for Disease Control FAQ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq. html and UAMS vaccine video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWSQAYKbno&feature=youtu.be).
As community leaders, we are personally committed to take the vaccine when it becomes available to us. But suppressing the pandemic will require us to join together in our efforts. We strongly encourage you, our friends and neighbors, to join us in rolling up your sleeve and receiving a vaccine when it becomes available to you so that together we can end the pandemic.
Respectfully, Chip Pollard, John Brown University President Todd Simmons, CEO and Vice Chairman Simmons Foods Mark Simmons, Chairman Simmons Foods Phillip Patterson, City Administrator Jonathan Buisch, Pastor at First Pres. Arthur Hulbert, President/ CEO Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce Pat Callahan, Community Christian Fellowship Pastor Steve Abbott, First Baptist Church Siloam Springs Pastor Clark Atkins, First Methodist Pastor Joel Rutherford, First Christian Church of Siloam Springs Pastor Judy Nation, Mayor of Siloam Springs Louie Bold, Plant Manager Jet Stream Duane Jones, Pharmacy District Manger Harps Foods Tim McCord, Market President Generations Bank Dave Flack, Outreach Center Church Pastor Jody Wiggins, Siloam Springs School District Superintendent Brad Paulk, Walmart Supercenter Siloam Springs Pharmacy Manager Jeff Speaks, Community Physicians Group, CEO Chris Milam, Walmart Supercenter Siloam Springs Store Manager Daren Davidson, La-Z-Boy Midwest-Regional- General Manager Michelle Maul-Pennick, Walmart Neighborhood Market Pharmacy Manager Stanley McKinnon, Rector Grace Episcopal Church Wayne Thomas, Director/Founder Kind at Heart Ministries Father Salvador Marquez-Munoz, St. Mary’s Catholic Church Tim Estes, New Life Church Pastor Dr. Rex Harris, CPG Dr. John Caswell, CPG Dr. Ezra Cole, CPG Dr. Angela Fangmeier, CPG Dr. Atoosa Kourosh, CPG Dr. Ashish Mathur, CPG Dr. Daniel Pummill, CPG Dr. Amy Schochler, CPG Dr. Dan Springer, CPG Dr. Scott Stinnett, CPG Dr. Roger Youmans, CPG Dr. Steven Johnson, Simmons Care Clinics Karl Mounger, Past Justice of Peace and Past Vice Mayor Siloam Springs Carol Smiley, Co-Owner Smiley Chiropractic Clinic Jan Nelson, Owner Memory Finders Peter Lane, President/CEO Walton Arts Center/ Walmart AMP Tamary Holmes, Realtor Grant Loyd, Owner Alternative Design John Elrod, Former Siloam Chamber Board Chair Graham Thomas, Managing Editor Northwest Arkansas DemocratGazette weeklies Raquel Beck, Office Manager Community Judd Semingson, CEO, Community Clinic Amanda Echegoyen, COO, Community Clinic Dr. Richard Pruiksma, Community Clinic Toni Cochran, APRN, Community Clinic Adam Bracks, CEO Siloam Springs Regional Hospital