Pulaski Council Ok’s resolution supporting Community Wellness Commitment
Pulaski Town Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution to show its support for a Community Wellness Commitment, unveiled last week by the New River Valley Public Health Task Force.
The task force includes a range of local health, public safety, education and government agencies in the New River Valley area. It strives to proactively provide local residents and communities with accurate, up-to-date, and effective guidance about COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in order to reduce local impact and facilitate community recovery.
The Community Wellness Commitment encourages community members to care for the health and well-being of others.
The commitment was developed in time for the arrival of a new school year at the Valley’s three colleges and universities along with local school divisions.
“If our community is to successfully manage this pandemic, we must shift our focus from where we have been to what each of us does day in and day out,” Noelle Bissell, director of the New River Health District and co-chair of the task force, stated in a press release from Virginia Tech.
“If each of us commits to following basic hygiene practices outlined in the Community Wellness Commitment, we can emerge from this pandemic united and well.”
The Community Wellness Commitment calls on area residents to do ten things, including:
- To affirm a commitment to the safety, health, and well-being of school campuses and local communities.
- To affirm support for the mental well-being of all community members.
- To wear face coverings/masks in public areas.
- To practice physical distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others.
- To practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and covering coughs or sneezes.
- Staying home and avoiding public spaces when not feeling well.
- To contact a health care provider or an urgent care facility if you believe you are sick or have been exposed to the coronavirus.
- To support, but avoid contact with those who are sick.
- To follow public health guidelines and medical recommendations to be tested and self-isolate as necessary.
- To make a list of all others with whom you have had close contact, if necessary, to aid in contact-tracing efforts.
The resolution approved by council Tuesday expresses support for the work of the task force and asks residents and businesses in the town to consider joining in with the Community Wellness Commitment “and to remain vigilant when it comes to the health and safety of yourself and others.”
By MIKE WILLIAMS, The Patriot
www.pcpatriot.com
