Mayor Thanks Community, Urges Vaccination As COVID-19
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SUMMER 2021 Mayor thanks community, urges vaccination as COVID-19 regulations end By Mayor Ken McClure, for SGFNN rapidly expanding new virus about which little Springfield City Council’s May 28 repeal of the was known, swift and COVID-19 regulations put in place over several decisive action was Fire Chief David Pennington months last year to protect our community followed needed. vaccinates an individual at a series of courageous and difficult actions as part of the May 7 Fire Station Fun the community’s response to the pandemic. When we asked you Day and Vaccine Clinic. to stay at home and The ordinances and associated mitigation for businesses to shut strategies put in place over the course of those down, you listened. Welcome to the Summer 2021 edition challenging months to protect our citizens served an Research published in the Journal of the American important purpose and, as a result, saved numerous of SGF Neighborhood News! Medical Association on the impact of COVID-19 lives. We took the correct actions at the right times now suggests that, in the complete absence of stay- Keep up with what’s going on in Springfield and stood firm. Our community is better because of it. neighborhoods and get to know your neighbors at-home orders, the United States could have seen 220% higher rates of infection and a 22% higher I want to thank the community. with this quarterly newspaper and website. fatality rate. It’s simple: those of you who stayed We have endured an home saved lives. IN THIS ISSUE unprecedented health care crisis When we asked businesses, churches, not-for- Plan for first phase of Renew Jordan Creek profits, the arts community and educators to reduce 5 project presented to City Council and have emerged strong. capacity, employ public health safety measures, and assist with mitigation strategies such as testing, Reflecting upon the past 15 months brings me both quarantining and isolating, you listened. GET TO KNOW SGF NEIGHBORHOODS comfort and grief. Never in my lifetime did I expect You promoted behaviors that prevent spread, BISSETT to see such valiant sacrifices. To those who have lost 10 such as maintaining healthy environments and loved ones forever due to this pandemic, I share your operations, and you prepared for when people got 11 BRADFORD PARK pain. We will never be able to replace those we have sick. Those actions resulted in reduced exposure of lost. But we certainly can continue to take measures 14 BRENTWOOD the virus among individuals, reduced transmission to make sure their deaths were not in vain. and reduced burden on our health care systems. 14 DELAWARE The outbreak of COVID-19 has become the most significant global public health emergency in the 4See MAYOR THANKS COMMUNITY on page 2 12 DOLING 21st century. Back in March 2020, in the face of the 13 GALLOWAY VILLAGE Health Department wants to bring COVID-19 15 GRANT BEACH vaccine to your neighborhood 16 GREATER PARKCREST By Aaron Schekorra, Health Department, for SGFNN war against COVID-19 will only work if more people take advantage of it. And unfortunately, a majority 19 HEART OF THE WESTSIDE Our community has been significantly impacted of Greene County residents have not. As of June 18, by the COVID-19 pandemic. With more than 30,000 17 MARK TWAIN just 37% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated, cases and 435 deaths, this virus has challenged us in rates that are lagging behind both the state and MEADOR PARK ways we never conceived. Fortunately, we have the 19 national averages. tool to put COVID-19 in the rearview mirror–vaccine. COVID-19 is still here and still poses a threat to 18 MIDTOWN Vaccines continue to prove themselves to be our community and will continue to do so unless a long-term solution to preventing the spread of 19 OAK GROVE more people prioritize getting vaccinated. Sadly, the COVID-19, preventing severe illness, and saving burden of this disease will be focused on those who PHELPS GROVE lives. But what might be our greatest weapon in the 20 have not yet been vaccinated. In fact, according to 22 ROBBERSON patient interviews, more than 98% of positive cases in Greene County since January have occurred in 21 ROUNTREE unvaccinated individuals. 22 TOM WATKINS This is why the Springfield-Greene County Health Department is committed to making the COVID-19 22 UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS vaccine readily available and easily accessible to everyone. By working with our community 24 WELLER partners and neighborhood associations, we have 23 WEST CENTRAL Springfield-Greene County Health Department Community been able to host COVID-19 vaccination clinics Health Nurse Jan Atwell vaccinates an individual at the in neighborhood schools, churches, fire stations, 24 WESTSIDE Missouri Job Center's "Get a Shot, Get a Job" Drive Thru Job Fair and Vaccine Clinic June 9. 4See VACCINE OPPORTUNITIES on page 2 25 WOODLAND HEIGHTS 4MAYOR THANKS COMMUNITY from page 1 4VACCINE OPPORTUNITIES from page 1 When we learned that the simple act of wearing community centers, libraries, parks and apartment a mask helped prevent us from spreading the complexes. During these events, we’ve had the disease to one another, we asked you to wear one in chance to speak with so many people who were able public, and once again, you listened. Collectively, to fit the vaccination into their schedule because of we achieved a long-term goal of minimizing the the convenience and flexibility these events offer. severity of COVID-19 in those who contracted the Often someone can walk up, get registered, get illness and also prevented additional deaths. vaccinated and sit for the observation period in less I would be remiss if I didn’t also thank the than 25 minutes. communicators — the news media and the City and If you are still needing your COVID-19 Springfield-Greene County Health Department vaccination, or you’ve put off getting the second public information specialists — who played the dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, visit City Councilman Matthew Simpson (on the screen) crucial role of keeping our citizens informed and comments before voting on the COVID-19 regulations vaccine417.com or call the COVID-19 Call Center at educated in a time that is not easy and in an arena passed at the July 13, 2020 meeting. Far left is Councilman 417-874-1211 to find information for clinics where that is too often filled with misinformation. We are Abe McGull; center, Mayor Ken McClure; and far right, you can make an appointment or just walk in! all blessed, thanks to your professionalism, ethics, Councilman Craig Hosmer. To ensure physical distancing There are many benefits to being vaccinated conscientiousness and dedication. to prevent spread of the disease, council members against COVID-19. Besides several of the fun I am proud of my colleagues at the City and participated in the meetings via videoconferencing. incentives (like discounts, free donuts, and even ice Health Department and our many partners for skating) businesses and organizations have offered making difficult choices but taking necessary action disease for communities across the world — it is for getting vaccinated, many are also allowing fully and for persevering. In spite of the contentious and will be a regular part of the community and will vaccinated employees and patrons to visit their nature of many of the actions which needed to be continue to affect individuals, particularly those establishments unmasked. While there is no longer taken, we have seen Springfield at its best. who are unvaccinated. In these scenarios, both the a City ordinance requiring masking in public, the I want to thank our excellent health care providers health care and public health systems have ongoing Health Department recommends unvaccinated and especially our health care workers, law capacity to respond in these situations. individuals still mask. Many businesses are enforcement, firefighters and first responders. You With the repeal of the ordinance requiring following this advice and requiring those who have continue to serve the needs of our people in the most masking and other restrictions, we have done all not yet been vaccinated to mask, so we ask that trying of circumstances with the most dedication to we can from a public policy standpoint, and now everyone respect the policies of these businesses. the highest level of service. Thank you. it is the community’s responsibility to continue to Perhaps the biggest benefits to getting vaccinated The faith community has played an important role act prudently. The virus is still here — do not take are avoiding severe illness and not having to throughout all of this and has specifically tended to any unnecessary risks, wash your hands, watch the quarantine. Those who are two weeks out from their the spiritual and emotional needs of the community, crowds and above all, get vaccinated. second shot of Pfizer and Moderna, or first shot of as they always do, despite their specific challenges I want to thank City Council, City Manager Jason Johnson & Johnson, are not required to quarantine related to being separated from their congregations. Gage and City staff for the steadfast support and if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19 if Thank you. encouragement, undergirding my role and actions they don’t have any symptoms. Once vaccinated, I want to specifically thank former Health as mayor, and for the leadership and courage you and your family can travel, work, participate in Department Director Clay Goddard and Acting displayed by each council member, in spite of summer programs, and start the new school year Director Katie Towns for their tireless support and strong criticism from some quarters.