Mayor of Kitchener, ON ~ Co-President of UCLG ~ Past-President of Federation of Canadian Municipalities
STATEMENT ON THE NATIONAL DAY OF OBSERVANCE FOR COVID-19 On March 11, 2020, the lives of City of Kitchener residents and citizens around the world changed forever as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Now, three years later, we are still grappling with the aftermath and the virus that is still in our midst. This three-year anniversary fills many of us with mixed emotions: reassurance, grief and gratitude for the work that has been done by so many across the city and region. From the Public Health response, including masking by-laws and vaccination efforts, to schools, businesses and organizations quickly pivoting to an online world. These have been challenging years for everyone. Thousands of our neighbours in our community have fought the battle against COVID-19. Tragically, we have mourned the loss of hundreds of loved ones: parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and friends. I want to thank residents for doing their part and getting vaccinated, our frontline and essential workers, first responders, small business owners and service industries for your selfless efforts to keep residents safe. Your efforts are not forgotten, even as we work together to recover. Mayor Berry Vrbanovic cc: United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), Grand River Hospital, St. Mary's General Hospital
Paul Field
1 año
Thank you Berry Vrbanovic for your encouragement and support during these difficult years! A huge thank you from the ARTSHINE - ARTS4ALL team! #44gaukel
Thank you Berry Vrbanovic . While many workers just stayed home,. Many simply had to.face the work day despite the dangers. We and many others on the technical side had to ensure critical systems, including 911, continued to function. Front line health workers however had incredible challenges with a system that is already maxed without the extra burden of a pandemic. I hope and pray the lessons learned will not be forgotten. This is just the beginning. Continuous improvement for the health sector is needed to insure the ability to deal with potentially more severe pandemics in the future.