To all St. Mary’s residents,
This week is National Public Health Week – a time to reflect upon the collective work across our community in addressing public health. The COVID-19 pandemic has made public health a front and center priority over the past several weeks. We have seen unprecedented actions in our state and county to keep our residents safe and to prepare our community for the threat of COVID-19. Across all sectors of this community and in every home, we have come together to respond. I know you are making many sacrifices to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors. Thank you to all of you for what you are doing to control the spread of this illness.
I especially want to recognize the incredible bravery and dedication of my fellow public health professionals, health care workers, first responders, and law enforcement in their response to this crisis. We have a common ethos – one that calls us to serve, to protect, to heal. We step forward and act because that is our calling, because we are honoring the oaths we have taken, because our community is relying upon us. Now, more than ever, we need to hold steadfast and true to our mission. We need each other. Thank you for answering your calling, for all that you are doing, everyday, selflessly.
St. Mary’s – This is an extraordinary time for all of us. But we are an extraordinary people. We have been pulling together for centuries in this county. We have the grit, the compassion, and the creativity needed to conquer challenges that face our community. COVID-19 will impact us, it may impact us hard. The road ahead is tough, and long…but we are already together in facing this crisis.
Thank you, please be safe, and stay well. May God bless our community.
Sincerely,
Meenakshi G. Brewster, MD, MPH, FAAFP
St. Mary’s County Health Officer