01/18/21 - Missouri Mondays - A week of hope and celebration!
The President of the United States was impeached last week for a second time for his role in inciting the violent mob insurrection at the Capitol that resulted in destruction, five deaths and endangered more lives including VP Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. As we try to process the darkness of the past couple weeks perhaps there is no better time to reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and lessons we can learn from the struggle for freedom, equality, and justice.
In his remarks at the dedication of the MLK Jr Memorial on the National Mall, President Obama said of Dr. King--
“His life, his story, tells us that change can come if you don’t give up. He would not give up, no matter how long it took, because in the smallest hamlets and the darkest slums, he had witnessed the highest reaches of the human spirit; because in those moments when the struggle seemed most hopeless, he had seen men and women and children conquer their fear; because he had seen hills and mountains made low and rough places made plain, and the crooked places made straight and God make a way out of no way.
And that is why we honor this man –- because he had faith in us. And that is why he belongs on this Mall -– because he saw what we might become. That is why Dr. King was so quintessentially American -- because for all the hardships we’ve endured, for all our sometimes tragic history, ours is a story of optimism and achievement and constant striving that is unique upon this Earth. And that is why the rest of the world still looks to us to lead. This is a country where ordinary people find in their hearts the courage to do extraordinary things; the courage to stand up in the face of the fiercest resistance and despair and say this is wrong, and this is right; we will not settle for what the cynics tell us we have to accept and we will reach again and again, no matter the odds, for what we know is possible.
That is the conviction we must carry now in our hearts. As tough as times may be, I know we will overcome. I know there are better days ahead. I know this because of the man towering over us. I know this because all he and his generation endured -- we are here today in a country that dedicated a monument to that legacy.
And so with our eyes on the horizon and our faith squarely placed in one another, let us keep striving; let us keep struggling; let us keep climbing toward that promised land of a nation and a world that is more fair, and more just, and more equal for every single child of God.”
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2 Days - The Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris January 20, 2021
Our journey together over the past 4 years has been long and difficult. Our hearts are filled with emotion and we can only imagine yours are too. In two days Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will take their oaths of office and be sworn in as President and Vice-President of the United States.
Here’s where and when you can take it all in starting today!
The Biden-Harris Inauguration Site https://bideninaugural.org
Check out all the ways you can watch the historic inauguration on this highlights video https://bideninaugural.org/watch/
January 18 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
“United We Serve” National Day of Service https://bideninaugural.org/day-of-service/
January 19 at 4:30pm (Central), 5:30pm (Eastern)
Light a candle in the window or ring a bell at 4:30pm for the National Covd-19 Memorial
January 20 at 8:00 pm
Kansas & Missouri Democratic Party Celebration--Tickets $10
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bidenkdpmdp
January 20 Inauguration
Streamed http://bideninaugural.org/watch,
All major networks
@BidenInaugural on Twitter & Instagram
YouTube, Twitch, and others
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MO COVID UPDATE
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the state, the Missouri House will shut down next week due to rising cases among legislators. Some have tested positive for the virus while others are quarantined following exposure. Although some senators have also tested positive, the senate will be in session and hearings will be held. Masks are not required inside the statehouse. Despite the rising numbers of cases, the House voted against following CDC guidelines for controlling the spread of the virus, including the recommendation to wear masks. The Missouri Independent reports, “During a House floor session Wednesday, large numbers of members, mainly on the Republican side, could be seen without masks.”
According to the MO Dept of Health and Senior Services as of Sunday January 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Missouri rose to 437,549, an increase of 14,222 new cases since Jan 10. Note the New York Times database for Missouri covid data: “As of Sunday evening, there have been at least 468,106 cases and 6,647 deaths in Missouri since the beginning of the pandemic.” Despite the numbers discrepancies, both sources are reporting a decrease in total case numbers. This is far from over so please stay safe and always wear your mask in public.
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Are you interested in receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Jackson County Residents Fill out this survey on the Jackson County Health Department website https://form.jotform.com/203524953651153 Based on availability, and guidance from the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services (MO DHSS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Jackson County Health Department will be providing the COVID-19 vaccine based on a pre-determined tier system. Individuals will be identified to receive the vaccine based on risk status and occupation.Once the vaccine is made available for your tier, the JCHD will use your information from the survey to contact you with further instructions on how to schedule an appointment to receive your vaccination.
Kansas City Residents Fill out this KCMO Health Department survey: https://hipaa.jotform.com/210117358088152 If you don't have access to fill out digitally, call the Health Dept. at (816) 513-6152 and someone will assist you.
