Leaders reflect on one year of coronavirus
NORRISTOWN >> Marking the anniversary of the first cases of coronavirus locally, officials took some time to reflect during a recent Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting.
At the March 4 meeting, Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh first asked for a moment of silence for the more than 500,000 Americans who lost their lives nationwide to the novel coronavirus.
As of March 9, there have been 1,235 deaths and 47,891 cases reported across Montgomery County since March 7, 2020, according to the county’s COVID-19 resources website.
“There is a light at the end of this tunnel, however, we’re not quite there yet, and we must continue to stay vigilant, and keep our efforts up to stop the spread.”
Arkoosh noted recent instances of decreasing case counts and positivity rates, but still stressed the importance of area residents continuing to maintain COVID-19 health and safety protocols including wearing a mask, washing their hands and social distancing.
“There is a light at the end of this tunnel, however, we’re not quite there yet, and we must continue to stay vigilant, and keep our efforts up to stop the spread,” Arkoosh said last week.
Montgomery County received $145 million in federal funding by way of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which has gone to programs aimed to aid several industries including the area’s small business, nonprofit sectors.
“We recognize that the road to recovery will be long and challenging, but we are working to put all of our resources towards working to help Montgomery County families and businesses recover from this pandemic,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr.
Lawrence touted a new $9 million initiative dedicated to assisting the county’s hospitality industry. He said that the program, which was funded through state monies, will begin taking applications March 12.
Both Arkoosh and Lawrence expressed their appreciation and gratitude to county employees and community members for their dedication over the past year.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, throughout it and to this day, you’ve all continued to demonstrate what being MontcoStrong looks like,” Lawrence said. “Whether that is coming together to make and distribute handmade masks, deliver food to people in need, provide no cost PPE kits to our small businesses, or volunteer to work at one of our vaccination clinics, the way our community has come together over the last year has been truly remarkable.”
Lawrence also recognized Arkoosh for her efforts.
“Montgomery County has been incredibly lucky during this past year to have a trained physician with a masters in public health as our chair, leading a dedicated team of public health and safety experts through these unprecedented times over the past year,” he said.
As the vaccination rollout process continues, both emphasized the importance of participation.
“This is the most important thing we can all do to get our community back to normal,” Arkoosh said.
Lawrence added county health officials would continue pushing for opportunities to secure adequate quantities of the vaccine.
“I know it’s been a long year, but Montgomery County is resilient, and we will get through this stronger than before,” he said.
Following their initial remarks, several community members thanked Arkoosh and Lawrence for their service over the past year during the public comment portion of last week’s meeting.
“I think the information that you guys have given folks, the work that you’ve done, is valuable, and I for one appreciate you here in Montgomery County,” said Bridgeport resident Mark Jones.
Bill England, a Cheltenham school board member, agreed.
“I look forward to the period, as we move beyond this, as we’re all vaccinated, and I appreciate your continued guidance until we get to the end of this pandemic period, and then to better days,” he said.
In other business, county leaders authorized $346,869.68 in contracts related to COVID-19 response efforts during Thursday’s meeting.
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services entered into two agreements with CDW Government, of Chicago.
A $237,217.68 agreement with Midwest firm covers “Microsoft licenses that will enhance the C[OVID-]19 vaccine registration and administration solution,” the contract states.
A $64,652 contract with the Chicago firm “provides for computer equipment necessary to assist county constituents visiting our vaccination sites to move through the registration process quickly and efficiently.”
The equipment included in the aforementioned agreement was funded through a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program contract.
A three-month $45,000 agreement with UBMe Inc., of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, would supply “registration link protection services for COVID-19 vaccination appointments.”
The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 18.
— Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Val Arkoosh