A kind reminder

Editor’s Note: The following is the transcript of a COVID-19 video message from Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero that was released yesterday.

Hafa Adai! 

This past week, we celebrated Guam’s 78th Liberation Day and reflected on the strength and resilience of our people. 

Right now, we are concerned about pandemic trends around the world: Evolving variants. Waning health practices. Increasing COVID cases. 

Many places are now reintroducing health and safety protocols to stop the spread. 

[In] Guam, we know from our experience that our island is not immune to these global trends. In recent weeks, our local health care leaders have monitored a rise in new COVID cases and hospital admissions. This reaffirms what we cannot fail to remember: our fight with this virus is not yet over. 

Because our community has worked tirelessly to get on the road to recovery, we must remain compassionate, as well as firmly decisive in how we continue to move forward. We remind those experiencing COVID symptoms to get tested. If you are taking a home test, don’t forget to report a positive result to Public Health and isolate at home for five days. If symptoms worsen, contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency care.

In consultation with our health care and hospital leaders, we are also strongly advising the use of face masks, especially in indoor settings. We advise all businesses and government agencies, especially those in customer service, to recommend the use of face masks for both employees and patrons at your place of business. We advise all senior citizens and those with comorbidities, and the family members or service workers that care for these high-risk groups, to wear their masks. We remind everyone that in healthcare settings, including hospitals and clinics, masks remain mandatory for the protection of vulnerable patients and front-liners.

To be clear: this is not a reinstatement of restrictions. This is a precautionary recommendation and a kind reminder that we each can continue to do our part in this phase of the pandemic.

Throughout this time, you have answered this responsibility. You rolled up your sleeves to get the protection the vaccine and boosters provide. And even when safety requirements were lifted, I know that many of you have continued to wear your mask in public settings. Your actions speak volumes, and we have every hope that with continued vigilance, we will keep saving lives. We will secure a strong recovery. And we will rise in the very spirit of liberation. 

Thank you and si yu’os ma’ase!

Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero (Special to the Saipan Tribune)
Lou Leon Guerrero is the governor of the U.S. territory of Guam.