West Hartford Mayor's Weekly Message

Press release from the Town of West Hartford:

May 21, 2020

Hi, this is Mayor Shari Cantor.

"West Hartford, thank you for protecting and caring for each other. You are washing your hands, physical distancing and wearing face coverings and controlling the spread of the Covid-19.

Although we are beginning to ease restrictions and take small steps toward reopening, it is important to remain vigilant and exercise caution. Vulnerable populations should continue to avoid going out unless absolutely necessary. If you are feeling ill or have been exposed to Covid 19, please get tested. The list of FDA approved testing sites are listed on our website. The West Hartford Bloomfield Health District continues to do contact tracing to identify additional pockets of infection to contain and prevent community spread.

The Town is currently working with businesses to increase outdoor space available for commerce, using guidelines recommended by the state and federal authorities. Many restaurants and retailers reopened yesterday, and we are grateful to everyone for their cooperation. It was a successful day.

Our public golf courses are already operating and, in addition, this weekend a portion of the Town’s tennis and pickleball courts will be open.

It’s critical that you wear a face covering when close contact with others cannot be avoided. For this reason, we are asking all residents and visitors to wear a face covering at all times when you are in West Hartford Center.

I wear my face mask to protect you and you wear your face mask to protect me. Our actions matter and are interconnected more than ever, even as we stay physically apart.

As we approach Memorial Day, this year we will not be able to come together as we usually do to march and celebrate our community and remember our fallen soldiers.

We will have to do this virtually and apart. On Memorial Day, we will honor the more than 1 million men and women who have lost their lives defending America since the Revolutionary War. A virtual ceremony will air on WHCi at 10AM on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th. By remembering those who we have lost to war, we both mourn their sacrifice and celebrate their selfless commitment to our Country.

This year, our American heroes are not only wearing camouflage, they are wearing scrubs, aprons and uniforms. They are our healthcare workers, essential workers and first responders. They have answered the call to serve despite the fact that their own lives are at risk.

I also want to celebrate and thank our tremendous support systems: teachers, social workers, libraries, public service workers, mentors and coaches, drivers, mask makers, community groups that feed families and the many volunteers helping in numerous ways. You are all an inspiration and give me strength. Thank you!

Please ring your bells this Friday for all of those we honor, with gratitude, this coming Memorial Day.

Be well and be safe."

This press release was produced by the Town of West Hartford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.