Tomorrow, March 3, marks the one-year anniversary of the first case of coronavirus in our region.

To observe this occasion, Westchester County is calling on all residents to observe a moment of silence tomorrow at exactly noon.

In addition, tomorrow at 7:00pm, the County asks us to once again “Clap Because We Care” by standing outside our houses or opening our windows and making some noise in support of health care workers and essential service providers. Finally, tomorrow morning the City will post to its website a photo tribute of images submitted by residents.

This has been a year like no other, marked by grief and pain, but also strength and resilience.  Although the COVID crisis is global in scale, New Rochelle will always have the distinction of being the first place in America to face a community outbreak, and we can draw some grim satisfaction from meeting our test here with dignity and common purpose.  

As always, for information, including the latest on vaccine distribution, you can visit newrochelleny.com/coronavirus.

May this pandemic year find its rightful place in lasting memory, and may we together make our way to a new year of recovery, health, love, and joy. 

Additionally, On Wednesday, March 3, Westchester County Executive George Latimer is directing flags at all County facilities to be flown at half-staff in honor of the over 2,000 Westchester residents who have died from coronavirus.  The flags will be flown at half-staff as a part the County’s COVID-19 commemoration event taking place one year after the first confirmed case in Westchester. An interfaith prayer service will be livestreamed at 11AM on the Westchester County Facebook page.