Vaccinations underway for some of the public in rural Colorado
COSTILLA COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) Many counties in Southern Colorado are still preparing for the next phase phase in the vaccination process. However, some counties have already begun vaccinating the public, specifically their elderly population.
Costilla County, a small county in the San Luis Valley, has already finished with the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and people ages 70+ are already receiving the vaccine. The first part of us moving onto the 70-year-old individuals started this past weekend this Sunday, said Paul Wertz with the Costilla County Public Health.
Wertz and Costilla County Public Health along with Valley Wide Health Symptoms and local law enforcement organized a drive thru vaccination center for Costilla County s elderly.
Words are one thing, while actions are another. Skeptical communities were given another reason to believe in the country’s COVID-19 efforts Wednesday.
Pueblo Police Chief Troy Davenport took part in the state’s vaccination efforts at a local drive-thru testing station on Wednesday. He chose to bring his injection into the spotlight in hopes that others will follow.
“I’m absolutely confident in this vaccine,” Davenport said. “They have the brightest minds in the world not just our country but the world working on this topic. They have sunk millions of dollars into this effort and I’m absolutely confident that this will bring this pandemic to an end eventually.”
The Pueblo Chieftain
For the New Year, we thought it would be interesting to ask leaders from around the community for their 2021 wishes for Pueblo. The response was great. Some were personal. Some related to the contributor’s position. Many, of course, focused on COVID-19 challenges. So here we go …
Let’s start with of our two local hospitals leaders, who, given the pandemic, certainly played a critical role within our community this past year.
“I wish for the acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccines. There has been way too much pain and suffering for patients and families around the world.” Leslie Barnes, president and CEO, Parkview Medical Center.
Columbus Bust in Pueblo covered up after activist’s death
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) Early Friday morning, activists in Pueblo covered up the Christoper Columbus bust on Abriendo Avenue after the death of Rita Martinez, one of the most prominent activists in the battle over the statue.
The bust was covered up with a giant red banner reading Take It Down .
Around 8 a.m., Pueblo Police - including Police Chief Troy Davenport - took the banner down and returned it to the Martinez family.
At 8 a.m. Pueblo Police remove a banner covering the Christopher Columbus bust.. The banner was in honor of Rita Martinez, who passed away December 10th. Martinez was a strong opponent to the bust, and her funeral is being held this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/CV12dBQ7rU Dan Beedie KRDO (@BeedieonTV) December 18, 2020
The Christopher Columbus Statue in Pueblo s Mesa Junction was shrouded Friday with a large banner reading TAKE IT DOWN.
The banner was one of a few set by a group of activists in honor of Rita Martinez, a dedicated community organizer and Chicana activist who died Dec. 10 after battling COVID-19 at Pueblo s Parkview Medical Center for 14 days.
Her funeral was Friday. It looks like some people wanted to commemorate my mom, Rita Martinez, Vicente Martinez Ortega said. (Friday) is the day of her funeral and some folks wanted to commemorate her in their own way.
Martinez was best known as one of the most vocal leaders in the three-decade fight to abolish the Christopher Columbus holiday in Colorado a battle that was won earlier this year when Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill replacing Columbus Day with Mother Cabrini Day.