March 25, 2020
Citizens of Mancos and the surrounding Mancos Valley,
As you are all aware, our country is under attack by the Coronavirus or COVID-19. We as a community must work together to get through this difficult time – AND WE WILL!
The Town staff and Board have been working on our COVID-19 response plan diligently for the past month and are prepared.
On Thursday, March 25, 2020, the Town of Mancos will be moving our COVID-19 response plan to a Tier III. Town Hall will remain closed to the public until further notice. Citizens may contact us via phone at 970-533-7725 or by e-mail. Board and staff contact information is on our website .
Essential services, necessary for the public health, welfare and safety of our citizens will continue to be provided. Staff has been and will continue to comply with the Governor’s social distancing orders by working staggered shifts to minimize personal contact. All non-essential services have been suspended until further notice.
In an effort to assist our citizens through this crisis, the Town of Mancos will suspend the accrual of late fees and disconnections of water/sewer through April 30, 2020. Drop box, mail and on-line services are available to the public to pay your water bills.
The Town Board will also adhere to the social distancing order and begin holding virtual meetings through ZOOM. Residents can check the Town website at www.mancoscolorado.com for details.
Currently, there are NO confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Montezuma County. We know that COVID-19 is most likely present in our community regardless of positive test results and we ask that our community behave as such. If you are experiencing coughing, fever and shortness of breath and these symptoms are manageable at home, please self-quarantine, stay hydrated, eat nourishing meals and treat your fever with acetaminophen or Tylenol. This allows our healthcare workers and first responders to provide care to those experiencing life-threatening symptoms. As always, if you’re experiencing an emergency, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room – call ahead to wherever you’re receiving care to let them know what symptoms you are experiencing.
Should your symptoms escalate or you feel like you’re not getting better, testing is available at Southwest Health System Drive-Thru Testing Center in Cortez (see https://www.facebook.com/SWhealthsystem/ or https://www.swhealth.org/covid-19info for more information and location). Drive Thru Flu Testing is open Monday thru Friday, 8am-2pm with or without doctor’s orders. If you have orders from a doctor for testing, please bring all information your doctor provided when writing the order. If your rapid flu test is negative, you may be tested for COVID-19 if you meet criteria. Please bring your photo ID and insurance card (if insured). If you don’t have insurance, there is a $40 charge for the flu test and a $5 charge for the COVID-19 test. Remember to stay in your car and follow the directions posted at the Drive Thru Clinic.
Residents of the State have been asked to utilize social distancing – keeping 6 feet of distance from others while shopping for necessities or anytime in public. We have also been encouraged to wash our hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. These requests aren’t just about protecting you, you are also be protecting the vulnerable. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are at the highest risk of getting the virus. Be respectful and considerate of others.
Our community and Montezuma County have rallied together during this crisis. Neighbors helping neighbors, grocery shopping and picking up medications for those who can’t get out, sewing masks and gowns for health care facilities, phone calls, cards and letters to nursing homes, etc. Local radios and newspapers are working closely with the Public Health Department and the Emergency Operations Team to provide current and correct information to the public. Many local agencies are working overtime to provide support services. Restaurants are offering curb side pickup and home deliveries. Schools and churches are providing breakfast and lunches to students. Organizations are providing meals for truckers delivering goods. Acts of kindness and compassion and so many more that I have not listed. These are proof that our country will survive this crisis.
For more information contact the following:
Montezuma County Public Health Department – http://montezumacounty.org/web/
CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/
I pray that you all stay safe and well.
Sincerely,
Mayor Queenie Barz
