Community Coronavirus Spread on the Rise

As we have all seen in the news, the community spread of coronavirus is on the rise. Authorities at every level of government warned of this post-Thanksgiving surge and we now are being urged to increase our commitment to safety practices as we head into a holiday season that promises to be less than traditional.

We must follow ALL community health guidelines, especially not gathering in groups outside our immediate households. Although this is an unwelcome message to many who “just want the holidays to be normal,” flexibility and respect for others this holiday season is an investment in seeing loved ones at next year’s celebrations.

The choices we make now and in the coming weeks will determine the impact on our healthcare system and medical workers. We need to dig in and make a serious commitment to masking, physical distancing, proper hand hygiene and sanitizing to reduce community spread and show respect for our medical community.

Town facilities continue to be accessible by appointment, and all Town departments are serving the public by phone and online when possible. Town meetings continue to be available by video. Outdoor facilities remain open to the public and we ask you to mask up and stay at least six feet apart from others not in your immediate household. Please follow www.penfield.org for the Town of Penfield’s latest COVID-19 protocols.

Monroe County is providing free, rapid COVID-19 tests during the month of December for residents who are asymptomatic. Residents experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider or call the Monroe County COVID Hotline at 753-5555. Follow this link to find a location and register https://www.monroecounty.gov/healthcalls/register.

Find all Monroe County COVID-19 news and resources at https://www.monroecounty.gov/health-COVID-19.

Please do your part: wear a mask, practice physical distancing, help stop the spread to save lives.

Be safe and be well!

Penfield Supervisor R. Anthony (Tony) LaFountain