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MAYVILLE – “What we’re trying to do is recognize those frontline workers who have been working so diligently.”
That’s the word from Chautauqua County Executive P. J. Wendel about a new county program to honor and recognize those who have done heroic work during the last 11 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wendel told WNY News Now that the idea is to thank those who have been on the front lines during the pandemic. He said anyone is eligible, not just health workers, but store employees, clerks and others one might not recognize as heroes even though they’ve been helping people and providing essential services all along.
“This is for anybody they (residents) believe is a hero. Some of our waitresses locally in diners who have been working around the clock in some cases, they’re just as important as nurses,” Wendel said.
Wendel and the COVID-19 Response Team recently launched COVID-19 Heroes, a recognition program to highlight the outstanding work of people working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight in Chautauqua County.
“Early in the pandemic, we recognized many local businesses who were stepping up to help our community, including Jamestown Plastics that invented the True Hero shield, breweries that made hand sanitizer, and Pace’s Pizza that implemented a program to donate pizza to essential
workers,” said County Executive PJ Wendel. “As we close in on the one-year mark of COVID-19, we want to recognize the frontline workers who have been going above and beyond, despite the difficult and often stressful circumstances of doing their job during a pandemic.”
Residents may submit an individual for recognition through a form on the county website. Examples of COVID-19 Heroes may include first responders including EMTs and law enforcement, nurses or units from a hospital or nursing home, or any other essential worker involved in the fight against COVID-19. Heroes will be recognized in a weekly video and sent a note of thanks from the County Executive on behalf of all Chautauqua County residents.
To nominate an individual to be recognized, visit the COVID-19 informational page on the county website at chqgov.com, or the form directly at chqgov.com/form/covid-heroes. For more information contact the County Executive’s office at 716-753-4211.
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