Washoe News

City of Reno issued the following announcement on September 09.

Elected Officials, City Managers, and employees at the Cities of Reno and Sparks took time today during the morning shift changes to thank area healthcare workers for their hard work, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Hospital staff were greeted with flowers from local florists, treats, handmade signs, and more.

Sites visited were Northern Nevada Medical Center (Sparks), Renown Health, Saint Mary’s Health Network, and Veterans' Administration Medical Center. Some stats from this morning:

• 10 therapy dogs (thousands of puppy kisses)
• 50 posters
• 1,000 granola bars
• 1,110 donuts
• 1,500 Thank You cards
• 1,950 flowers

Healthcare staff will also be thanked this evening at Renown South Meadows Medical Center and two Northern Nevada Medical Center locations (ER at McCarran NW and Sparks).

Healthcare workers have continued to battle this disease from the frontlines facing stress, anxiety, risk of exposure, burnout, and more. It has not helped that COVID-19 has seen a resurgence in our community. Since June 1, 2021, new COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations have seen a sharp increase:

• The number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 hospitalizations increased from 20 to nearly 190.
• The occupancy rate of staffed hospital beds is at about 90 percent in Washoe County.
• There were 60 COVID-19 related deaths during the month of August. 
• The 7-day moving average for new COVID-19 cases per day rose from less than 15 to more than 250.
• The COVID-19 test positivity rate increased from about 3 percent to 20 percent.

The cities felt it was the right time to come together to honor their service. Special thanks to the Reno Fire and Police Departments, Sparks Fire and Police Departments, DoughBoys Donuts, Donut Bistro, Awesome Blossom Floral Design, Sparks Florist, Paws 4 Love Therapy Dogs, Nevada Patriot Guard Riders, and Office Depot for helping to make the morning special.

Spread Kindness

As an extension of the healthcare appreciation events, Reno and Sparks are issuing a challenge to our community to help spread kindness and gratitude, as we continue to face the challenges of the pandemic together. Residents are encouraged to share on social media using #KindnessChallengeReno and #KindnessChallengeSparks.

“Now, more than ever, we really want to emphasize the importance of kindness and gratitude given the burden of the pandemic on mental health,” Reno City Councilmember Neoma Jardon said. “This last year and a half has been difficult for everyone; not only our healthcare workers and public safety first responders, but also our business owners, teachers, and children.”

“These stressful times have been hard on all of us,” said Sparks City Councilmember and Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tempore, Charlene Bybee. “We can each make a difference by simply being kind. We challenge everyone to go out and spread kindness whether it be to a healthcare worker, teacher, business owner, first responder or anyone in our community. Together we can make a difference.”

Another way to show gratitude for healthcare workers at this time is to, simply, get vaccinated, which will lower the demand on hospitals. According to the Nevada Hospital Association, about 80 percent of hospitalized patients have not received the COVID-19 vaccine. For information on Community COVID-19 Vaccine Events, visit covid19washoe.com. You can also schedule an appointment online.

Original source can be found here.