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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.1 Public Health WeekAGENDA ADDENDUM REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021 (Virtual) AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 3.1. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION TO RECOGNIZE THE “UNITE PALM DESERT” CAMPAIGN AND DECLARE APRIL 4-10, 2021, AS “PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK” IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT. POSTED: Monday, March 22, 2021, at 12:45 p.m. Unity/Public Health Week Proclamation Whereas, the “Unite Palm Desert” campaign was launched to encourage city- led mutual support during the pandemic, preserving the health of all our residents and businesses; and Whereas, since its inception, Unite Palm Desert has supported over 300 businesses with over $3 million dollars of easily forgivable loans, supporting our unique businesses and our hospitality sector during restricted operations; and Whereas, Unite Palm Desert, with the collaboration of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, has assisted over 600 city businesses and non-profits with personal protective equipment to support safe operation, including more than 120,000 face masks, 4,000 face shields and 1,000 gallons of hand sanitizer; and Whereas, through Unite Palm Desert, the City has authorized up to $500,000 for assistance in covering rent for those with lost income during the pandemic; and Whereas, Unite Palm Desert has included $513,000 of support for non-profit partners who are addressing food insecurity and other basic needs during the pandemic; and Whereas, consistent with Unite Palm Desert, the City has collaborated with Curative to provide cost-free Covid-19 testing and support the public health; and Whereas, reports of nearly 3,800 hate incidents against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide over the last year and a near doubling of racist, anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ propaganda remind us that unity and mutual support are values which require constant attention; and Whereas, Palm Desert celebrates our ethnic diversity as a strength, noting sadly that some AAPI communities who are prominent in care-giving professions have had much higher than average rates of Covid-19 infections and deaths in our county; and Whereas, the first full week of April is celebrated as “Public Health Week,” an occasion for renewed commitment to creating a heathy nation for all. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Kathleen Kelly, Mayor of the City of Palm Desert, California, along with the entire City Council recognize the week of April 4 – 10, 2021 as Public Health Week in the City of Palm Desert, encouraging all residents to embrace Unite Palm Desert and the mutual support that will enable successful conclusion of the current pandemic, including respect for people of all ethnicities, identities and backgrounds.