THIS IS A RAPIDLY EVOLVING AND FLUID SITUATION.  INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT.

The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Sunday 11/22/2020 at 10:00am.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

11/22/2020 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1:  Thanksgiving Guidance

Please take the time to read and understand this entire message. 

Internet links:  Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active.  However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow.  You may have to search around a bit.

Hello to all, the Thanksgiving Holiday is approaching quickly.  Even though the last several months have turned our lives upside down in almost every conceivable way, we can still find reasons to be thankful and celebrate.  This year, though, we need to celebrate thanksgiving a lot differently than we have in the past due to COVID-19.  Below are web links to important recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): 

ü  CDC:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html

ü  CDPHE:  https://covid19.colorado.gov/thanksgiving

Additionally, on Friday 11/20/2020 the Governor’s office released an update that said “As we head into the holidays, the Governor strongly urges Coloradans to avoid personal gatherings at all costs, wear a mask, and physically distance. Let’s do these three things to protect our friends, our family members, and our front line workers who are working every day to keep our communities safe.”

Yes, it’s very, very difficult to make the sacrifice to not be around our family and friends at this time.  It is very necessary, though, and it is up to us.

Richard Ritter, Executive Director

Otero County Health Department

13 West 3rd Street, Room 111

La Junta, Colorado 81050

719-383-3045 (Office)

719-383-3060 (Fax)

rritter@oterogov.org