COVID-19 has affected Hispanic populations disproportionately in the United States and here in Roanoke. The City of Roanoke, along with other community partners, continue the pursuit of ways to inform specific portions of our community about the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine when residents are eligible. On Friday, March 5, 2021, Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr., Councilmember Vivian Sanchez-Jones, and representatives from the City of Roanoke, the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts, and Roanoke City Public Schools met with leaders in the Hispanic community to continue COVID-19 vaccine outreach for our Spanish-speaking residents. Councilmember Sanchez-Jones facilitated the meeting that included:
- Rafael Laveaga, Chief of Consular Section, Embassy of Mexico
- Rafael Sierra, Consul General of Honduras
- Sebastian Escobar, Consulate General of Colombia
- Mariana Diaz, Deputy Consul, Consular Section, Embassy of Mexico
- Jessica Mendoza, Consul General of Guatemala
- Pedro Rodriguez, Consul General of El Salvador
During the virtual meeting, the group talked about opportunities to collaborate to ensure that Spanish-speaking residents in the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts are aware of the vaccination process, and how the Consuls may assist with answering questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
"I am committed to getting this done, " says Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. "The LatinX and Hispanic residents in the City of Roanoke are my neighbors and I, along with my fellow Roanoke City Council Members, City staff, our community partners, and Consul partners will ensure that there is equitable access to the vaccine for City of Roanoke residents. I am excited about this new partnership and the opportunity to work with the Consuls from Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The only way to beat COVID-19 is to work together and to get vaccinated. We want to ensure that all Roanokers know how to sign up for vaccination to keep themselves and their family safe from this pandemic."
A similar partnership is taking place in Fairfax County. The City of Roanoke, along with its partners, is excited about this opportunity to ensure that all members of our community have equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as accurate information regarding the vaccination process.
If you have questions about this partnership, please contact Tiffany Bradbury in the Office of Community Engagement at 540-853-6428 or by email at [email protected]. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit: www.roanokeva.gov/vaccinateroanoke. #vaccinateroanoke #vaccinatevirginia
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