There is no question of the complete exhaustion in our country and county attributed to the past 18 months. From polarizing political opinions, to social movements, to a globally devastating pandemic, we are all a little tattered at the edges — at the very least. Our organization has watched it happen alongside you: the disorganization, the isolation, the blind hate, and the death.
The facts are physical: Rutherford County has the highest death rate due to COVID-19 per capita in the state and the second-lowest vaccination record, according to the North Carolina State Department of Health. As of late, 10,160 Rutherford County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and of those 279 have died, according to State Health Department data. That is at least one person from your workplace, school, church, family — we all know of someone who has been lost to this virus.
What about the effects of this virus that are not as evident? Have we not all experienced loss from these past 18 months? Many of us are struggling with grief because of the death of a loved one to COVID-19. Some of us are battling loneliness from the isolation of quarantining. Others are drained and fatigued from the constant bad news blaring from our televisions and screens. And what of heartbreak? We have seen so much death in the wake of this deadly virus, as well as a lack of compassion, reverence, and humanity.
Blue Ridge Hope seeks to be a source of health and wholeness for our community. We have been offering grief and loss and mental health services for the past four year. Providing healing for devastation, hardship, and loss is our forte. However, we are now in uncharted waters. Over the past 18 months, our organization has seen an 87% increase in our total client base, 78% of which are folks with little to no insurance coverage. We have quite literally been flooded with Rutherford County residents who require healing from the traumas of this virus and its consequences. Just as hospitals are swamped with the physical effects of COVID-19, our organization has been met with a tidal wave of invisible need: persons who suffer severely with their mental health.
If you are one of those that believe this virus has little to no outcome in our county, we urge you to take another look. These past 18 months have infiltrated every facet of our collective society and quite literally altered our entire reality. We value our work here at Blue Ridge Hope, but much like our beloved doctors, nurses, and medical staff, we are begging you to consider getting vaccinated against COVID-19 for not only our public health but our collective sanity.
Contact your health care provider or pharmacy or call the Foothills Health Department at 287-6100 to find the location that most convenient for you. You can also find vaccine locations at YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov.
The Community Health Council of Rutherford County provides the structure for the leaders of major organizations to work effectively together to address Rutherford County’s key health concerns. This article was submitted by Blue Ridge Hope, a member of the Health Council. Blue Ridge Hope is located at 131 W 2nd Street, Rutherfordton.
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