>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

>>> THE NEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ ♫♫ >>> WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

I´M ADRIENNE WILLIAMS-OCTALIEN.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SPENT MUCH OF 2020 AT THE FOREFRONT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE.

BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LEADERS HAVE NOT LOST SIGHT OF THE RECOVERY EFFORT AND REMAIN COMMITTED TO REBUILDING STORM DAMAGED FACILITIES.

ON THIS EPISODE WE´LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT´S FEDERALLY FUNDED RECOVERY PROJECTS AND LATER WE´LL GET AN UPDATE ON THE MASSIVE COVID-19 VACCINATION EFFORT THAT AIMS TO PUT 50,000 SHOTS IN ARMS BY JULY 1.

HERE IS THE LATEST NEWS ON OTHER ONGOING RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.

>>> FROM THE WTJX STUDIO ON ST. CROIX, I´M LAURISSA ELLIS.

FEMA IS RELEASING $76.5 MILLION FOR PAYMENTS TO PRIME CONTRACTORS WHO PERFORMED WORK FOR THE SHELTERING AND TEMPORARY ESSENTIAL POWER PROGRAM.

DURING THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANES MARIA, SEP PERFORMED REPAIRS ON HOMES.

LAST JUNE, FEMA HALTED CONTRACTOR PAYMENTS ALTOGETHER AFTER CITING COST AND REASONABLENESS CONCERNS.

PAYMENTS ARE MOVING FORWARD AGAIN THANKS TO EFFORTS BY THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY AND DELEGATE STACEY PLASKETT.

>> THE EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR VIRGIN ISLANDS PROGRAM, THE VIHSA, WE´RE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT LOCAL AND STATESIDE CONTRACTORS ARE MADE WHOLE FOR THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK DONE BY THE SEP PROGRAM.

THE AUTHORITY DEVELOPED A COST REASONABLENESS REPORT SHARED WITH FEMA SHOWING THE DETAILED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM DONE ABOUT THE PRIME CONTRACTORS THAT IT WAS INDEED THOROUGH AND REASONABLE.

PREVIOUSLY THERE WERE $305 MILLION PAID OUT BY S.T.E.P.

AND IN THIS MONTHLY OF FEBRUARY WE´VE PAID OUT $76.5 MILLION TO CONTRACTORS.

AND AN ADDITIONAL $54.9 MILLION HAS BEEN APPROVED THIS MONTH.

AS A RESULT OF THIS, IT´S SUCH A GREAT MILESTONE.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMPLETELY CLOSING OUT THIS PROGRAM AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR LOCAL AND STATESIDE CONTRACTORS ARE MADE WHOLE.

AND WHAT DOES THIS $76.5 MILLION MEAN FOR OUR COMMUNITY?

IT MEANS THAT LOCAL CONTRACTORS WHO WORKED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE GOING TO GET PAID AND THEY´LL ALSO BE ABLE TO NOT ONLY INVEST IN THEIR FAMILIES BUT ALSO IN GROSS RECEIPT TAXES TOO WHICH IS A BIG PART OF THE REVENUE OF THIS TERRITORY IN THESE TIMES.

IT GOES FOR HOTELS AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEIR HOMES OUT TO CONTRACTORS AND ALLOWED THEM TO STAY THERE.

THEY´RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET PAID THROUGH LOCAL REALTORS.

SO THIS IS A GREAT MILESTONE, A GREAT TRIUMPH FOR THE S.T.E.P.

PROGRAM AND WE´LL MAKE SURE THIS PROGRAM, WHICH REPAIRED OVER 6,000 HOMES, IS SUCCESSFULLY CLOSED OUT.

>> THE TERRITORY HAS CLEARED A MAJOR HURDLE ON ITS PATH TO REPAYMENTS.

FEMA REMOVED ITS MANUAL DRAWDOWN PROCESS WHICH REQUIRED THE GOVERNMENT TO SEEK APPROVAL FROM FEMA BEFORE DRAWING GRANT FUNDS FOR IRMA AND MARIA RECOVERY PROJECTS.

THE RESTRICTION WAS PUT IN PLACE AFTER A 2018 FEDERAL AUDIT.

SINCE THEN THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY HAS WORKED HARD TO ENSURE THE TERRITORY MANAGES THE FEDERAL FUNDS CORRECTLY.

FREEDOM CITY LANDMARK WILL RECEIVE A $6 MILLION MAKEOVER COURTESY OF FEMA.

$6.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS WAS RECENTLY OBLIGATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO RESTORE THE PORT CEDRIC MUSEUM.

REPAIRS WILL INCLUDE PLASTERING AND PAINTING AND THE REFURBISHMENT OF GATES, SIGNAGE, CARRIAGES, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, DOORS, AND ROOF.

THE FEDERAL GRANT WILL ENSURE PORT CEDRIC IMPROVES ITS STANDING AS A NATIONAL LANDMARK.

>> WE WERE LUCKY TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS FROM FEMA TO ANSWER THE PROBLEMS THAT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF IRMA AND MARIA THREE YEARS AGO.

FINALLY, WE HAVE THE RESTORATIVE FUNDS TO PUT THE PLACE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

WHEN IT´S ALL DONE, THE EXHIBITS WILL BE REDONE.

THE PUBLIC CAN THEN COME BACK IN AND USE THIS FACILITY AND WE´LL HAVE A GREAT TIME.

THEY´LL BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR THE WEDDINGS AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST, VARIOUS EVENTS.

>> IN OTHER POSITIVE NEWS FROM DPNR, THE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY SECURED $2.9 MILLION TO FEMA´S PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR REPAIRS TO THE LARGEST OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES ON ST. THOMAS.

THE REGIONAL LIBRARY WILL BE RESTORED TO ITS PREDISASTER CONDITION WITH REPAIRS TO INCLUDE NEW ROOFING MATERIALS, CEILING TILES, LIGHT FIXTURES, SOLAR PANELS AND GUTTERING.

THE COMMISSIONER DISCUSSED THE TURNBULL LIBRARY REPAIR PROGRAM DURING A JANUARY APPEARANCE ON "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

>> THE MAJOR DAMAGE ARE TO THE ROOF STRUCTURE AND FOR MOLD REMEDIATION WITHIN THE BUILDING.

AND LUCKILY, THE CHARLES TURNBULL LIBRARY IS ONE OF OUR NEWEST BUILDINGS IN GOVERNMENT.

SO WE DO ACTUALLY HAVE PLANS, AND IT WON´T TAKE US A VERY LONG TIME TO FINALIZE THE DETAILS FOR THAT PROJECT TO GO OUT TO BID.

AND AGAIN, WE SHOULD BE ABLE, WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS OR SO, TO HAVE A PUBLIC BID OUT AND SEE SOME WORK BEING DONE.

>> THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WATER AND POWER AUTHORITY HAS MARKED ANOTHER MILESTONE IN ITS EFFORTS TO BRING ENERGY DEPENDENCE.

WAPA RECEIVED APPROVAL FOR $100 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS SPECIFICALLY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ON ST. JOHN.

>> FEMA RECENTLY OBLIGATED $113 MILLION FOR REALLY TWO PROJECTS.

ONE IS TO COMPLETE THE COMPOSITE PROJECT IN ST. JOHN.

THESE COMPOSITE POLES CAN WITHSTAND WINDS OF 200 MILES AN HOUR.

THE SECOND PROJECT IS TO UNDERGROUND A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THE CIRCUITS IN THE TOWN OF CRUZ BAY.

IN THE COMMUNITY, THEN, THOSE CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE UNDERGROUND POWER, WHICH MEANS THAT AFTER A STORM, WE´LL BE ABLE TO RESTORE POWER TO THOSE CUSTOMERS MUCH QUICKER THAN WE WERE AFTER HURRICANE IRMA.

>> WAPA ALSO HAS SOME GOOD NEWS FOR ITS CUSTOMERS ON ST. THOMAS.

THE AGENCY RECENTLY CONDUCTED FACTORY ACCEPTANCE TESTS FOR FOUR BRAND-NEW STATE OF THE ART GENERATORS THAT ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED TO BE INSTALLED AT THE POWER PLANT WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 36 MEGAWATTS OF CAPACITY.

>> IT´S CALLED A FACTORY ACCEPTANCE TEST.

NORMALLY WAPA EMPLOYEES WOULD GO TO WITNESS THAT TEST.

HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF COVID-19, WE HELD WHAT WE´RE CALLING A VIRTUAL FACTORY ACCEPTANCE TEST.

WE HAD MEMBERS OF WAPA ON A TEAMS CALL AND WE WERE ABLE TO WITNESS VIDEO OF THE MACHINE RUNNING.

IT RAN FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 HOURS, THE TEST WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.

WE WILL HAVE THESE GENERATORS INSTALLED IN ST. THOMAS WITHIN TWO YEARS.

THEY ARE MUCH MORE RELIABLE AND MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

SO THEY HELP US REDUCE COSTS AS WELL AS MAKING THE SUPPLY OF POWER MUCH MORE RELIABLE THAN IN ST. THOMAS.

>> FEDERALLY FUNDED RECOVERY PROJECTS ARE MOVING FORWARD AND WERE PUT OUT TO BID THIS MONTH BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PROPERTY AND PROCUREMENT.

BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS, AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY SHOULD VISIT THE ODR WEBSITE FOR A FREQUENTLY UPDATED LIST OF OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DETAILED INFORMATION.

RECOVERY PROJECTS PUT OUT TO BID IN FEBRUARY INCLUDE THE SCHOOL SAFE ROOM PROJECT, THE PEDRO CRUZ BALLPARK REPAIR PROJECT, AND COMPOSITE PARKS HURRICANE REPAIR PROJECT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER OPEN BID ANNOUNCEMENTS, LOG ON TO WWW.USBIODR.COM AND CLICK THE "DOING BUSINESS WITH ODR" TAB.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY IS MOVING FULL STEAM AHEAD TO TRANSFORM PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE TERRITORY USING FEDERAL RECOVERY DOLLARS.

LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER BREAKING GROUND ON A NEW $57 MILLION HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, CIHA HAS STARTED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST FIVE BUILDINGS.

ODR PROJECT PANELIST MICHAEL VONTE VISITED THE SITE.

>> MY NAME IS MICHAEL VONTE HERE IN ST. THOMAS.

TODAY WITH ME WE HAVE MS. FARRAH FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITIES.

HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

>> HI, GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

CAN YOU GIVE ME INSIGHT INTO WHAT´S HAPPENING AT THE SITE?

>> IT´S PART OF A CONTRACT WE STARTED LAST OCTOBER.

TO DEMOLISH FIVE BUILDINGS WHICH ARE BUILDINGS 10, 11, 12, 14, AND 22.

THE CONTRACTOR CONSISTS OF ASBESTOS ABATEMENT AS WELL AS DEMOLITION.

WHAT THEY´VE DONE THUS FAR IS THEY´VE CLEANED OUT THE BUILDING WITH ALL THE HOUSEHOLD DEBRIS, AND THEN WE ACTUALLY ENCLOSED THE BUILDINGS WITH PLASTIC SO WE CAN DO ASBESTOS ABATEMENT.

>> OKAY, AWESOME.

SO FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THE ASSESSMENT AND ABATEMENT IS COMPLETED SO NOW WE´RE BEGINNING THE DEMOLITION OF THE SITE?

>> EXACTLY.

>> HOW LONG DO WE FORESEE THAT TAKING PLACE?

>> THIS CONTRACT STARTED IN OCTOBER.

THE COMPLETION DATE IS IN MAY.

>> OKAY.

>> IT´S ACTUALLY SCHEDULED TO BE A 210 CALENDAR DAY PROJECT.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

CAN WE PROJECT THE DEMOLITION WILL OCCUR AS PLANNED?

>> SO FAR EVERYTHING IS GOING AS PLANNED BASED ON THE SCHEDULE.

HOWEVER, WE MAY HAVE LITTLE SNAGS HERE AND THERE BASED ON THE EXPECTED CLEARANCE, IT COMES A LITTLE TIGHT WHEN WE HAVE TO HAVE SLIGHT DELAYS OR TRAVEL ISSUES, THEN THAT WOULD BE A SNAG.

>> OKAY.

AND THAT ABATEMENT OCCURS FOR EACH BUILDING, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR THAT INSIGHT, MS. FARRAH.

>> MICHAEL VONTE WITH THE LATEST ON THE PROJECT ON ST. THOMAS HER .

FOR ALL THE NEWS ON THE DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS, VISIT THE WEBSITE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT, LAURISSA.

>>> I´M JOINED BY THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER AND DEPUTY HEALTH COMMISSIONER.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

IT´S AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

I´LL START OFF WITH YOUR FEMA-APPROVED PLAN TO DEMOLISH THE CHARLES HARWOOD HOSPITAL AND BUILD A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY IN ITS PLACE.

FIRST WE WENT OUT ON THE STREET TO SEE WHAT OUR RESIDENTS HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT.

WE TOOK OUR CAMERAS AROUND TOWN.

LET´S TAKE A LOOK.

>> WELL, I KNOW IT´S BEEN SOMETHING THEY´VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW.

I ACTUALLY THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA TO TEAR IT DOWN.

>> I THINK IT´S A GOOD FORWARD THINKING MOVE FOR THE ISLAND.

MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, IT GETS US TO COME UP WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO OFFER BETTER SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I JUST THINK TO PUT THE MODULAR DOWN BELOW, THE SERVICES UP TOP TO CONTINUE WHILE THE DEMOLITION IS BEING DONE AND THE REBUILDING IS TAKING PLACE.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR ST. CROIX AS A WHOLE TO HAVE ANOTHER MEDICAL FACILITY THAT WOULD OFFER, YOU KNOW, HEALTH CARE TO THE POPULATION.

>> ONE, I WOULD SAY THAT´S THE FIRST TIME I´VE HEARD OF THAT.

I LIVE VERY CLOSE TO IT.

SO I WOULD DEFINITELY BE INTERESTED IN HEARING WHAT THE PLAN IS.

I KNOW MYSELF AND LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE FUTURE PLANS OF THE FEDERAL FACILITIES ARE HERE ON ST. CROIX.

>> SO WE HAVE IT, YOU KNOW, FOLKS ARE VERY INTERESTED IN WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE´RE GOING.

I KNOW FEMA PROVIDED FUNDS SO YOU COULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THOSE VERY IMPORTANT SERVICES TO THE TERRITORY.

WHAT IS THE LONG RANGEVIEW FOR THE FACILITY?

>> IN ESSENCE, ONE OF THE VIEWERS ACTUALLY SPOKE ABOUT ENSURING THAT WE HAVE A PLACE THAT EVERYONE CAN GO TO GET WHAT THEY NEED.

AND SO I THINK THAT THAT REALLY IS THE FOCUS.

I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW THE VISION OF HEALTH IS NOT JUST CLINICAL, IT´S ALSO REGULATORY.

SO HAVING SOMETHING THAT´S BRAND SPANKING NEW PROVIDES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCLUDE STATE OF THE ART, TO LOOK AT THE GREEN WAY OF LIVING, TO INCORPORATE HEALTH PRACTICES THAT MAY HAVE TO COME IN THE FUTURE AS WE ARE TODAY IN TERMS OF THE COVID.

WE HAVE TO LEARN FROM TODAY TO PROJECT FOR THE FUTURE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I KNOW THAT YOU´RE STILL CONTINUING TO WORK WITH FEMA.

FOCUSED ON THAT, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF THINGS ON YOUR PLATE.

HOW ARE YOU BALANCING THE RECOVERY EFFORTS ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT YOU´RE IN FULL-BLOWN COVID RESPONSE?

>> WE ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN VERY BLESSED WITH A VERY STRONG DEEP.

THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN OUT AND INVOLVED WITH FEMA WITH THE HURRICANES AND EVEN BEFORE, WHEN HE WORKED IN DIFFERENT AREAS WITH THE HOSPITALS.

HOWEVER, WHEN HE CAME TO ME, HE REALLY WANTED TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT.

I SAID, WE´LL SUPPORT YOU IN HOWEVER YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM.

HE LOVES IT AND I THINK THAT TEAM IS A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

AND HE´S HERE TO SPEAK TO SOME OF THAT AS WELL.

>> SURE.

SO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER MALLOY, YOU HAVE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY IN TERMS OF GETTING THESE FACILITIES MOVING, GETTING THE FUNDS FROM FEMA, BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS MONEY HAS BEEN NOT OBLIGATED YET.

BUT YOU HAVE DEFINITE PLANS, ONCE THESE FUNDS ARE OBLIGATED, YOU HAVE AN ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SOLICITATION THAT´S OUT.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AND HOW DO YOU SEE MOVING FORWARD WITH CHARLES HOWARD?

>> WE PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ST. CROIX AND FOR THE TERRITORY IN GENERAL.

THE TEAM THAT WE´VE PUT TOGETHER IS VERY, VERY HIGH PERFORMING.

WE HAVE RECRUITED TWO ESSENTIALLY PROGRAM MANAGERS TO MANAGE THE 45 FEMA PROJECTS.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS INCLUDE ROSALINDA BROWN.

WE HAVE -- THE TEAM IS AUGMENTED BY OUR DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES, OUR CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER.

SO ONCE A PROJECT IS OBLIGATED, WE CONVENE WEEKLY MEETINGS OR WHATEVER THE REQUIREMENTS ARE.

WE HOLD THOSE PERIODIC MEETINGS AND WE PLAN THE PROJECT.

WE DEVELOP CHARTS AND WE JUST WORK THE PLAN.

>> SO YOU HAVE, NOW THAT THE A&E SOLICITATION IS BEING EVALUATED, WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED?

>> THE PLAN CALLS FOR THE A&E -- ANY DAY NOW, IS THE SHORT ANSWER.

THE PLANS CALL FOR THE A&E FUNDS TO BE FULLY ENGAGED BY APRIL OF THIS YEAR.

>> AND THE DESIGN PERIOD WILL EXTEND APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY MONTHS?

>> 24 MONTHS.

BUT THAT INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT.

SO WHEN THE DESIGN REACHES A CERTAIN POINT, 30% DESIGN, WE WILL START DEMOLITION.

AND THAT SHOULD BE WITHIN THIS YEAR.

SO WE´RE GOING TO START THE PROJECT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> GOOD.

THAT´S GOOD.

COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW YOU ALSO HAVE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AS PART OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

YOU DID HAVE SOME DAMAGE FOR THOSE BUILDINGS.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR BRINGING THOSE BACK ONLINE?

>> WE HAD THAT CONVERSATION, ACTUALLY, LAST EVENING WITH THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SAID IS THAT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE RECEIVING THE SERVICES.

IT´S NOT JUST PARENTS, IT´S CHILDREN, IT´S INFANTS.

SO WE NEED TO BUILD A BUILDING THAT´S GOING TO INCORPORATE THE NEEDS OF THE STAFF, INCORPORATE THE NEEDS OF THE PATIENTS, AND OF THE INFANTS AND TODDLERS THAT WILL BE IN THERE.

WE´RE LOOKING AT A GREEN APPROACH FOR ST. CROIX, ST. THOMAS, AND ST. JOHN.

IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT ALL THE ASPECTS IN THAT WE´VE BEEN SPEAKING ABOUT THUS FAR.

>> ONE OF OUR PROJECT MANAGERS ACTUALLY PROVIDED US WITH AN UPDATE OF THE PROJECT.

LET´S TAKE A LOOK.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM HAS BEEN AWARDED A GRANT THROUGH THE USDA IN THE AMOUNT OF $6.1 MILLION.

SPECIFICALLY FOR THE ST. CROIX RENOVATION PROJECT THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED IS $786,545.

THIS GRANT WILL COVER THE FUNDING NECESSARY FOR REBUILD, RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR THE BUILDINGS, TECHNOLOGY, AND EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS THE INFRASTRUCTURE AS A CONSEQUENCE TO THE DAMAGES OF HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA.

CURRENTLY WE´RE IN THE PROCESS OF EXECUTING AND FINALIZING OUR LEASES WHICH WE WILL BE LOCATING OUR STAFF TWO BLOCKS DOWN TO CONTINUE SERVICING THE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE RENOVATION.

THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF DIRECTOR WILLIAMS IN THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY, WE´VE BEEN ISSUED A TASK ORDER TO ENGAGE SPRING LINE ARCHITECTS FOR THE DESIGN AND RENOVATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE BUILDING.

THE SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDES THE REPAIRS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR THE UPSTAIRS PORTION OF THE BUILDING WHICH WILL COVER THE GUTTERING, NEW SHUTTERS, NEW WINDOWS, AND THEN ON THE FIRST FLOOR, WILL COMPLETELY GUT THE ENTIRE BUILDING DUE TO THE EXCESS WATER RETENTION.

AND WE WILL CONDUCT MOLD REMEDIATION AND DO A COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION BUILDOUT ON THE FIRST FLOOR.

WE´RE HOPING TO BE IN THE SOLICITATION PHASE BY APRIL OF 2021 TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONSTRUCTION BY JUNE OF 2021.

AND THEN TO FINALIZE THE CLOSEOUT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION BY DECEMBER OF 2021 GOING INTO JANUARY OF 2022.

OUR HOPE FOR THIS PROJECT AND OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A NEW FACILITY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY FOR ALL OF OUR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN PROGRAM.

>> THAT WAS VERY, VERY COMPREHENSIVE.

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE THIS BUILDING IS LOCATED.

>> IT´S ACTUALLY RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO AHCHESON HEALTH CARE.

IT RECONSTRUCTS THE WAY WE PROVIDE HEALTH CARE IN THE TERRITORY, NOT ONLY OUR HOSPITALS BUT THE CLINICS AND SERVICES INVOLVED IN OVERALL HEALTH CARE.

>> HOW DOES THAT ROLL INTO YOUR OVERALL PLAN?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS JUST HEARING IT AGAIN IS VERY EXCITING.

FOR SOMEONE WHO WAS BORN HERE, GREW UP HERE, AND ACTUALLY WORKED IN THOSE BUILDINGS AS I WAS GROWING UP AS A NURSE AND VISITING THE DIFFERENT PLACES IN ST. THOMAS, ST. JOHN, LOOKING AT WHERE THE RENOVATIONS ARE GOING TO BE, WE´RE TAKING OUR BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES THAT ARE STILL STRONG, AND RENOVATING THEM TO CREATE SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW THAT WE CAN SHARE WITH NOT ONLY WHAT WE LEARNED FROM OUR FOREFATHERS BUT SHARING WITH OUR FUTURE.

>> I LOVE WHAT YOU JUST SAID, BECAUSE MY MOTHER WORKED AT THE CLINIC.

>> SO DID I.

>> THAT AREA IS MY STOMPING GROUND.

AND THEN OF COURSE I THINK MOST OF US, I KNOW SOMEONE WHO WAS BORN IN CHARLES HARWOOD.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY, THESE VERY STRONG BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED, WE CAN REFURBISH THEM AND RENOVATE THEM SO WE CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

>> TO GO BACK TO YOUR QUESTION, WHEN WE FIRST STARTED WORKING TOGETHER TWO YEARS AGO, ONE, WE WANTED TO REVAMP OUR PLAN, AND TWO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN WHICH BASICALLY AS A TERRITORY HEALTH CARE PLAN.

A DOCTOR IS WORKING WITH US WHO HAS BEEN A TEAM PLAYER WORKING WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF TERRITORY HEALTH OFFICIALS AND CDC.

WE ACTUALLY STARTED OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PARTNERS DISCUSSION LAST WEEK.

WE HAVE PARTNERS SITTING AT THE TABLE.

HOWEVER, ONE OF OUR COMMUNITIES MEMBERS ASKED, WHEN AM I GOING TO BE A PART OF IT?

WE´RE GOING TO BRING FOCUS GROUPS INTO PLAY.

YOU´LL HEAR WHAT´S GOING ON AND BE A PART OF IT.

AS CHARLES HARWOOD, BECAUSE I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION HE ASKED, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AROUND THERE, WHEN WE START TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDING, HOW IT´S GOING TO AFFECT THOSE AROUND US.

TO LET THE GENERAL PUBLIC KNOW, WE´RE NOT JUST FOCUSED ON WHAT´S GOING ON TODAY.

WE´RE REALLY AND TRULY LOOKING AT PUBLIC HEALTH IN ITS ENTIRETY, WHETHER IT ACTUALLY HELPS THE COMMUNITY TODAY AND WHAT IT´S GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN YEARS TO COME.

>> I WAS AT A HIGH SCHOOL AND THEY SAID, YOU GUYS ARE TEARING THINGS DOWN.

I WAS ABLE TO SAY YES, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAD A TOWN HALL, IT WAS DURING COVID SO IT WAS NOT IN-PERSON, BUT AS THESE PROJECTS ARE MOVING FORWARD, THAT WE ALERT THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY AND TAKE ALL OF THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE DISRUPTIONS ARE MINIMAL.

THERE´S NEVER PROGRESS WITHOUT PAIN, WE´RE GOING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE A LITTLE BIT, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE´LL HAVE A BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDINGS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE RESOURCES.

>> THE JOHN MOORHEAD COMPLEX ON ST. THOMAS IS ANOTHER GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

WE WERE JUST ON ST. CROIX, AND YOU ALSO HAVE SOME PROJECTS ON ST. THOMAS.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THE INITIATIVES ARE AND WHERE YOU ARE IN THE OVERALL PLAN IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

>> YEAH, THERE ARE SEVERAL INITIATES GOING ON ON ST. THOMAS.

WE´RE REHABILITATING THE 11 BUILDINGS THAT MAKE UP THE JOHN MOORHEAD YARD, THE TOWER, AS THE COMMISSIONER MENTIONED, WE´RE REDOING THE -- WE´RE DEMOLISHING THE OLD MENTAL HEALTH BUILDING AND MAKING THAT A PARKING LOT.

WE DISCUSSED FUTURE PLANS, POSSIBLE PLANS FOR THAT AREA.

WE´RE ALSO -- THE WIC BUILDING ON THE HILL IN THE HANSON COMPLEX, WE´RE ALSO USING USDA DOLLARS TO COMPLETE THAT STRUCTURE AND OFFER COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN.

>> WE´RE DOING ONE FULL BASKET THING, ALTHOUGH WE GOT FEMA, WE HAVE USDA, ALL OF THE RECOVERY FUNDS THAT ARE COMING INTO THE TERRITORY, WE´RE USING THEM TO BE ABLE TO REBUILD AND BE AS MODERN AS POSSIBLE.

WE RECENTLY CAUGHT UP WITH ASSISTANT HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. NICOLE SIMMS FOR A DETAILED UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HISTORIC JOHN MOORHEAD MUNICIPAL COMPLEX.

LET´S TAKE A LOOK.

>> OUR RECOVERY PROJECTS ACTUALLY START ON THE VERY PROPERTY WE´RE STANDING ON.

THIS IS THE JOHN MOORHEAD COMPLEX.

THIS COMPLEX WAS BUILT IN THE EARLY 1900s AS THE FIRST HOSPITAL IN ST. THOMAS.

AND FOR DECADES HAS SERVED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EXTREMELY WELL.

BEHIND US IS THE TWO-STORY FORMER MENTAL HEALTH BUILDING.

THAT BUILDING IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED AS PART OF THIS RECOVERY PROJECT.

BEHIND ME IS THE TOWER.

IT IS A FOUR-STORY COMPLEX WHERE WE´VE HOUSED DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STAFF PRIOR TO IRMA AND MARIA.

TO MY RIGHT IS THE JOHN S. MOORHEAD MUNICIPAL 11 BUILDING COMPLEX.

AFTER IRMA AND MARIA, THE STORMS HAVE SEVERELY DEVASTATED THE ALREADY EXISTING STRUCTURE.

BEHIND ME THE TOWER HAS INTERNAL MOLD.

SEVERAL OF THE BUILDINGS ON THE JOHN S. MOORHEAD COMPLEX HAVE MOLD AND NEED SEVERE MOLD REMEDIATION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH´S PLAN IN THIS $1.8 MILLION PROJECT IS TO RENOVATE THE TOWER, GUT IT FROM THE INSIDE OUT, RELOCATE OUR STAFF ON THE JOHN S. MOORHEAD COMPLEX, PLACE THEM IN THE TOWER SO COMMUNITY SERVICES ARE NOT INTERRUPTED.

ONCE THE TOWER HAS BEEN FORMED, THEY WILL BEGIN WORK ON EACH OF THE 11 BUILDINGS IN THE JOHN S. MOORHEAD COMPLEX WHICH WILL ONLY HELP TO SUPPORT SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS LOCATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS TIMELESS.

IT IS A LOCATION THAT IS IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY IN DOWNTOWN.

AND SERVICES ARE VITAL AND CRITICAL TO EVERY MEMBER OF THIS SOCIETY.

SO THE PARKING LOT STRUCTURE IS GOING TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO HAVE A MORE OPEN FLOOR PLAN, IF YOU WILL, IN TERMS OF SAFETY AND SERVICES, ACCESS TO SERVICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

AND THE RENOVATION OF THE 11 BUILDINGS.

WE´RE GOING TO UPGRADE AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE SERVICES CONTINUE FOR CENTURIES TO COME.

THE ENTIRE PROJECT, RIGHT NOW, AS I STATE BEFORE, IS $1.8 MILLION.

WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE PORTIONS UNDER REVIEW BY FEMA AT THIS TIME.

WE´RE SCHEDULED TO HAVE A DESIGN IMPLEMENTED BY MAY OF 2021.

A SECOND REVIEW IS NEEDED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND BETWEEN THAT COLLABORATION, BETWEEN US AND FEMA, WE HOPE TO GET ALL THE PROJECTS OFF THE GROUND VERY SOON.

>> FROM WHAT I´M HEARING, THIS IS OF COURSE A MULTIPHASE APPROACH.

AND TELL US WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE THAT WAY.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THOSE BUILDINGS, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

AND YOU´RE LOOKING AT INTERNAL STRUCTURE IN RENOVATION.

YOU´RE LOOKING AT EXTERNAL.

SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT WITH THE AGENCIES THAT CONTROL THE HISTORY AS WELL AS THE NEW CONSTRUCTION.

AND OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH FUNDING.

HOW IS THAT FUNDING ACTUALLY BEING OBLIGATED AND WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FEMA.

>> SURE.

YOU GET TO MANAGE THAT PART OF IT.

>> WITH MY TEAM, YES.

>> SO THE PHASING THAT YOU´VE DONE, THERE IS A PORTION THAT WILL BE DONE OUTSIDE AND THEN YOU´LL MOVE INSIDE.

WHAT IS THE OUTLINE OF THE OVERALL APPROACH?

>> AS THE COMMISSIONER INDICATED, THERE IS A PHASED APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE REHABILITATION OF THE MOORHEAD YARD.

WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE EXTERIOR PORTION OF THE BUILDINGS BEFORE WE CAN GUT AND RENOVATE THE INTERNAL PORTIONS AND THEN WE´LL DEAL WITH THE MOLD SITUATION.

>> HOW MUCH OF THAT HAS BEEN NOW OUT OF IT?

YOU´RE IN THE DESIGN PHASE.

EXACTLY WHERE ARE YOU WITH THE OBLIGATED FUNDS?

>> THANKS TO YOU.

>> I CAN´T TAKE ANY CREDIT.

>> THANKS TO YOU, WE´VE BEEN ABLE TO EXPEDITE THAT PROJECT BY ASKING YOU TO ALLOW US TO USE YOUR MASTER CONTRACT WITH SPRING LINE.

AND SPRING LINE HAS COMPLETED A NUMBER OF THE DESIGNS REQUIRED FOR THAT YARD.

ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF WHAT WE´RE TALKING ABOUT IS LONG TERM.

BUT THIS PROJECT WILL BE A SHORT TERM WIN.

THIS PROJECT WILL YIELD RESULTS IN THE SHORT TERM SO THAT YOU CAN SEE WE´RE MAKING PROGRESS.

>> PROGRESS IS ONLY SHOWN WHEN WE SEE -- WE KNOW THERE´S A LOT OF WORK UNDERGROUND, DESIGN WORK WE CAN´T SEE, BUT SWINGING HAMMERS ARE REAL PROOF OF PROGRESS.

IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW, COMMISSIONER AND TEAM, WE ASKED RESIDENTS ABOUT THE ONE QUESTION THEY WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER IF GIVEN THE CHANCE.

SO HERE´S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IS, TO MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE AND EASIER FOR SENIORS TO GET, WHERE WE DON´T HAVE TO BRING IN PAPERWORK, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE ON MEDICATION.

>> MY QUESTION WOULD BE, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN GOING FORWARD FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, NOT COVID ALONE BUT ALL OTHER HEALTH ISSUES THAT WE´VE BEEN IDENTIFYING.

>> THE QUESTION I WOULD HAVE FOR THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER IS WHEN ARE YOU ALL GOING TO GET THE CANCER CENTER UP AND RUNNING?

THERE´S A LOT OF WOMEN ON THE ISLAND DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER, LIKE MYSELF.

THANK GOD I´M DOING WELL.

IT WOULD REALLY HELP IF THEY HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING TO HELP US WOMEN SO WE DON´T HAVE TO GO OFF-ISLAND.

>> SURE, I´M GOING TO TAKE IT FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

WE KNOW THE CHARLOTTE TIMERMAN, HE´S MADE HOSPITALS AND HEALTH ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES.

THE FACT THAT THE CANCER CENTER DOESN´T HAVE A TEMPORARY SOLUTION, MOST OF THE OTHER HOSPITALS, THE OTHERS ARE STILL ONLINE, THAT´S THE ONLY ONE THAT´S OFFLINE.

WE´RE WORKING WITH FEMA FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A PRIORITY.

AND ACTUALLY WE´RE MAKING SOME GOOD PROGRESS IN BEING ABLE TO GET THOSE COSTS AND FUNDS OBLIGATED SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN BRINGING BACK THE CENTER FOR THOSE CANCER PATIENTS WHERE THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING CONTRACTS ARE OUT SO WE CAN BE MOVING IN PARALLEL TO HIT THE GROUND.

SO HELP IS ON THE WAY.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, EVEN THOUGH THE CENTER IS ACTUALLY UNDER THE MEDICAL CENTER, I SPOKE WITH THE INTERIM CEO JUST THIS PAST WEEK IN REFERENCE TO CANCER CARE AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE SAID IS HE´S COLLABORATING WITH PRIVATE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, LOOKING AT EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAVE AVAILABLE AND HOW CAN WE ACTUALLY INDICATE TO THEM THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO THE REFERRALS ARE MADE.

IF BY CHANCE THEY CANNOT AFFORD CANCER CARE BECAUSE THERE IS LACK OF INSURANCE, THEN THAT COLLABORATION ACTUALLY EXTENDS INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

THAT´S MEDICAID.

THAT ACTUALLY APPROVED -- YOU´RE TALKING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT INFORMATION CAN BE GIVEN TO THE ELDERLY POPULATION OUTSIDE OF A BUILDING.

I KNOW THAT´S SOME OF THE THINGS WE´RE WORKING ON ELECTRONICALLY AS WELL.

TO LET YOU KNOW, IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD SOMETHING IN TERMS OF HEALTH CARE, MEDICAID IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU CAN APPLY FOR.

IF IT´S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU´RE APPROVED FOR, AND USUALLY YOU ARE, BECAUSE OF EXPEDITED CARE, WE DO HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE THAT YOU CAN BE PROVISIONALLY APPROVED FOR MEDICAL SERVICES THROUGH MEDICAID.

THEN OF COURSE THE PROCESS CONTINUES.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO LINK TO THAT, WE´RE WORKING ON IT FROM A FEDERAL STANDPOINT.

WE´RE GOING TO PROVIDE THAT HERE BUT WE NEED TO KNOW THERE IS SOME ACCESS FOR CARE THAT´S AVAILABLE FOR CANCER THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

>> AND YOU´RE ON THE HOSPITAL BOARD, A SYMBOL OF THE COLLABORATION THAT´S NECESSARY BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ALL THE HOSPITALS.

AND THEN YOU DO HAVE A REGULATORY RESPONSE E. RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL.

SO, YOU KNOW, JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU ENSURE THAT WE BUILD A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR HEALTH FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THESE FUNDS COMING INTO THE TERRITORY.

>> FIRST OF ALL, IF I´M IN A MEETING AND I DON´T SEE HOSPITAL STAFF THERE, I QUICKLY DIAL AND MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVED AN INVITATION.

THAT OCCURRED LAST WEEK, WITH THE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

BOTH HOSPITALS HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE BECAUSE PUBLIC HEALTH HELPS TO PREVENT ILLNESS, DECREASE DISEASE, IT´S IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW THAT INPATIENT CARE IS IMPORTANT AND INPATIENT CARE ACTUALLY HAS TO LEAN ON WHAT´S GOING ON OUTSIDE IN THE PUBLIC.

I IMMEDIATELY GOT IN CONTACT WITH DR. MARO, HE INTENDS TO HAVE SOMEONE THERE AT THE NEXT MEETING.

THE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN IS IN PLACE, WE DISCUSS WHAT THE NEEDS ARE FOR THE FUTURE IN HEALTH CARE AND THAT´S WHERE WE´RE GOING.

I THINK THAT THAT SO FAR IS WORKING OUT REAL GOOD.

>> GOOD, THAT´S EXCELLENT.

YOU STILL HAVE MORE BUILDINGS, YOU HAVE A LOT OF DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THE STORMS.

YOU HAVE THE VI BOARD OF NURSE LICENSURE BUILDING PROJECT.

SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT´S GOING ON WITH THAT ONE.

>> YEAH, THAT´S ONE OF OUR PRIORITY PROJECTS.

WE HAVE A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NURSING BOARD.

WE PROVIDE FACILITIES OVERSIGHT FOR THEM.

THEIR FACILITY WAS DAMAGED DURING THE STORM.

AND WE HAVE PUT A PROJECT IN FEMA TO FUND THE REHAB YOU WILLATION OF THAT AREA.

SO, YES.

>> THAT´S GOOD.

THEN YOU ALSO HAVE THE LONG TERM CARE FACILITY PROJECT.

>> YEAH.

AND THAT´S REALLY COMPLEX.

BECAUSE WE -- WE JUST FINISHED THE RENOVATION PROJECT WHERE WE MOVED THE RESIDENTS FROM THE ANNEX TO THE LONG TERM CARE FACILITY.

BOTH FACILITIES EXPERIENCED SOME DAMAGE.

AND WE HAVE LEVERAGED THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HAZARD MITIGATION FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING THOSE FACILITIES BACK UP TO OCCUPANCY LEVEL SO THEY CAN BE UTILIZED FOR THE TERRITORY.

>> WHAT KIND OF CHALLENGES DO THOSE BUILDINGS OR FACILITIES BEING DAMAGED HAVE ACTUALLY PROVIDED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND -- >> IN SOME CASES, I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HERE´S WHAT I DIDN´T HAVE BEFORE THAT I HAVE TO TRACE WHERE IT CAME FROM.

BUT, I MEAN, HOW HAS IT IMPACTED YOUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE YOUR SERVICES?

>> I THINK THERE ARE CHALLENGES, BUT IT ALSO BRINGS OPPORTUNITIES FOR US.

WE HAD TO REMOVE THE PATIENTS FROM THE ANNEX INTO THE LONG TERM CARE FACILITY, WHICH IS ACTUALLY A BIGGER SPACE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

SO WHAT WE´VE DONE IS THAT FROM A REGULATORY STANDPOINT, THAT´S VERY IMPORTANT.

AND SO WE HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN ABLE TO BRING MORE PEOPLE BACK HOME.

BUT IT´S NOT JUST A BUILDING.

IT WAS BEING DONE IN THE BUILDING.

SO WE HIRED ONE INDIVIDUAL, OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN ST. THOMAS, MR. CALENDAR, WHO NOW HAS A PROGRAM IN PLACE THAT WORKS WITH THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE PATIENTS AS WELL AS PATIENTS OFF-ISLAND TO BRING THEM BACK HOME.

WE´VE SEEN TRANSITIONS FROM OFF-ISLAND TO HOME, TO OUTSIDE OF ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS.

SO I THINK WE´VE BEEN VERY FRUITFUL IN THAT WAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, WHEN WE DO RENOVATE THESE AREAS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY´RE REGULATORY SUFFICIENT.

PSYCHIATRIC CARE BRINGS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LEVEL OF REGULATORY THAT NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE.

THIS ALLOWS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY COMES FIRST AND THAT WE HIT THE REQUIREMENTS, BECAUSE OF THE JOINT COMMISSION.

>> THAT´S RIGHT, YOU HEARD IT RIGHT THERE.

YOU´VE GOT TO HAVE A GOAL THAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

WE´RE ACTUALLY GOING TO GET THERE.

THE BUILDINGS ON ST. CROIX, THE MORRIS AND CASTRO WIC BUILDINGS ARE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO REHAB AND GET SERVICES UP TO PAR ON ST. JOHN.

SO WE WENT TO ST. CROIX, WE WENT TO ST. THOMAS, AND YOU HAVE PROJECTS IN ST. JOHN.

TELL US WHAT´S GOING ON THERE.

>> THE MORRIS CASTRO CLINIC IS AN EXAMPLE OF OUR DILIGENCE AND OUR CONVICTION TO MAKING SURE THAT WE DO ALL THAT WE CAN.

THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT ONLY INDICATED $35,000 WAS DAMAGE FROM THE HURRICANES.

THE REASSESSMENT, HOWEVER, DETERMINED THERE WAS MORE DAMAGE TO THE ROOF, AND THAT $1.5 MILLION IS -- IT´S NOW UP TO $1.5 MILLION.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO REHABILITATING ALL OF OUR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN THE TERRITORY.

>> WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT WITH BUILDING RENOVATIONS ON ST. JOHN.

WE SPOKE WITH THE EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATE, AALIYAH LOCKHART.

LET´S TAKE A LOOK AND HEAR WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

>> THE MORRIS CASTRO WIC BUILDING RENOVATION INCLUDED IN THE FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY, AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGES CAUSED BY HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SPECIAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN, IS $104,000 FOR SPACES OCCUPIED BY WIC STAFF.

THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY HAS AFFORDED THE DOH WIC PROGRAM THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE SPRING LINE ARCHITECTS WITH THE SCOPE OF WORK REQUIRED FOR SOLICITATION FEES FOR THIS PROJECT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GO HOME WILL HAVE THE PATIENTS ADVERTISED BY APRIL OF 2021 AND BEGIN CONSTRUCTION BY JUNE OF 2021.

THE RENOVATION IS ESTIMATED TO BECOME COMPLETED BY DECEMBER OF 2021.

COMPLETION OF THE THIS PROJECT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO DELIVER THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF QUALITY HEALTH CARE TO THE RESIDENTS OF ST. JOHN WHICH THEY SO RIGHTFULLY DESERVE AND ON ANOTHER LEVEL IT WILL ENHANCE THE WORK ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS ENHANCE OUR CUSTOMERS´ EXPERIENCE.

>> IT ABSOLUTELY SOUNDS LIKE A WIN/WIN, GETTING THE SERVICES, AND EVEN YOUR EMPLOYEES, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PUT EMPLOYEES IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN PERFORM.

>> DID YOU SEE, IF I MAY, DID YOU SEE THE SMILE ON HER FACE WHEN SHE SPOKE ABOUT THE EMPLOYEES AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WHAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE?

I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT LEARNING THAT IT WAS UP TO $1.5 MILLION MADE ME SO HAPPY, I STARTED TO ENVISION THE ENTIRE RENOVATION.

ST. JOHN REALLY NEEDS TO HAVE ACCESS TO CARE THAT RIGHT NOW WE DON´T.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT AND WE NEED TO FIX IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AGAIN, IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY COMES OPPORTUNITY.

AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF THE PROJECTS, THEY´RE BRICK AND MORTAR PROJECTS BUT THEY HAVE SUCH A PREMISE IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

WHERE DID THAT FROG COME FROM?

ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES AND HELP YOU TO CARRY OUT YOUR MANDATE.

SO WE´LL CHECK ON YOU, WE HAVE SOME DATES, WE HAVE SOME REALLY TALENTED EMPLOYEES WHO ARE SAYING YOU HAVE PROJECTIONS AND PLANS, WHEN WE´LL HAVE HAMMERS SWINGING AND ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF YOUR WORK AND ALL THE HARD WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE WITH THE COLLABORATION WITH FEMA AND YOUR TEAM ALONG WITH THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY STAFF THAT WORKS HAND IN HAND TO GET THESE PROJECTS GOING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY.

SO, YOU KNOW, AS IF YOU DIDN´T HAVE ENOUGH, WE DIDN´T EVEN TALK ABOUT COVID YET.

AND YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS, A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE HOSPITALS, THAT KIND OF COLLABORATION, AND HERE COMES A PANDEMIC, WHICH I MUST SAY THAT YOU ARE LEADING VERY, VERY VALIANTLY.

YOU KNOW, WE DELVED INTO THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE, WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS WHO MAINLY WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19 AND HOW THAT´S GOING.

LET´S ROLL THAT VIDEO.

>> WHAT IS THE PLAN TO ATTACK THE COVID SITUATION IN ST. THOMAS AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> DO YOU GUYS HAVE THE CORONAVIRUS UNDER CONTROL, I MEAN REALLY UNDER CONTROL?

>> ONE QUESTION I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE COMMISSIONER IS, DO THEY REALLY CHECK THE TESTS FOR THE PEOPLE COMING IN FROM THE AIRPORT, FOR THE COVID TESTS?

DO THEY REALLY CHECK IT?

OR NOT?

>> MY QUESTION WOULD BE HOW LONG WOULD COVID-19 TESTING CONTINUE.

>> IF I COULD ASK HER ANY QUESTION IT WOULD PROBABLY BE WHAT WOULD BE THE LONG TERM GOALS FOR THE VACCINATIONS.

>> I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, READY TO GET THE VACCINE, AND I FEEL LIKE IT´S MAINLY BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT TO TRAVEL AGAIN AND THEY WANT THINGS TO OPEN.

SO I´M WONDERING WHAT WOULD BE THE ESTIMATED TIME FRAME THAT THINGS COULD BE OPENING UP AGAIN.

>> I DON´T HAVE A QUESTION BUT I HAVE A KUDOS, THAT IN TIMES OF TOUGHNESS, AND THESE ARE TURBULENT TIMES, SHE AND THE DEPARTMENT HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME.

THEY´VE TOED THE LINE AND I THINK THEY´VE DONE AS WELL AS THEY CAN DO IN THIS PANDEMIC.

I WANT TO SAY KUDOS TO HER AND HER TEAM FOR DOING SUCH GREAT WORK, KEEPING US ALERTED EACH AND EVERY DAY, SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, WHAT´S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY.

AGAIN, KUDOS TO HER AND HER TEAM, NO QUESTIONS, JUST DUDECOS.

KUDOS.

THANK YOU FOR DOING A GREAT JOB.

>> WOW, I THINK THAT´S WELL-RECEIVED.

THE FACT THAT WE DON´T REALIZE, THIS IS ACTUALLY ANOTHER DISASTER, AND THAT´S HOW FEMA HAS -- AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ACTUALLY CHARGED THIS, THAT WE´RE RESPONDING.

THERE´S FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED.

YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH A PLAN AND HOW TO KEEP THE TERRITORY SAFE.

YOU ARE THE EXPERTS WITH HEALTH CARE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND PUBLIC HEALTH, THAT ADVISES THE GOVERNOR AND THE OTHER OFFICIALS ON WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

YOU HEARD THE QUESTIONS.

WHAT IS YOUR -- HOW DO YOU APPROACH IT, AND WHAT CAN YOU TELL THE PEOPLE OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, IT´S IMPORTANT TO SAY IT´S VERY HARD TO PREDICT.

COVID HAS PROVEN OVER A YEAR AND A MONTH THAT WE´VE BEEN LIVING WITH COVID THAT IT CHANGES.

YOU HEAR ABOUT THE VARIANTS.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE COMBATED COVID AND THEN A MONTH AFTER THAT YOU HEAR THERE´S AN ANOTHER VARIANT, ANOTHER STRAIN OR VARIANT.

AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO REALLY AND TRULY COMBAT THAT.

WE HAVE OUR MEETINGS EVERY MORNING AT 9:30 DURING THE WEEK.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SAID TO THEM IS, AND THE GENTLEMAN ASKED, WHAT ARE WE DOING ON ST. THOMAS´ NUMBERS.

ST. THOMAS´ NUMBERS CLIMB AND GO DOWN, IT´S CLIMBING RIGHT NOW A LITTLE BIT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE´RE DOING IN ST. THOMAS IS MAKING SURE WE DO AS MUCH TESTING AS POSSIBLE.

THE MINUTE WE TEST, WE FIND A POSITIVE, WE QUARANTINE, WE CONTACT TRACE AND MAKE SURE THAT ANYONE THAT HAS BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THEM ALSO QUARANTINES.

REALLY AND TRULY IT´S PLANNING, THAT´S ONE OF THE BIGGEST, AND ACTING.

SO WE´RE NOT ONLY JUST PLANNING, WE´RE ACTING.

WE´RE TAKING THE HELP FROM FEMA, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND CDC.

WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT OUR TEAM LINKS WITH THEM, THAT OUR TEAM IS WORKING.

WE ARE DEFINITELY COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT WE COMBAT COVID-19 WITHIN THE TERRITORY.

>> SO, YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE POP-UP TESTING APPROACH, I JUST REALLY THOUGHT WAS EXCELLENT BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT TO FIND WHERE DO YOU GO TO GET TESTED.

BUT THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW IT´S GOING TO BE IN HOME DEPOT PARKING LOT OR SOME OTHER PUBLIC, EASILY ACCESSIBLE AREA, IS PHENOMENAL.

SO WHAT WENT INTO THAT, HOW DID THAT IDEA COME UP?

>> WE PULLED THE MEETING TOGETHER, IT WAS LIKE A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY AND I SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE NEED TO TAKE THE GRASSROOTS APPROACH.

WE REALLY NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE PUBLIC.

AND THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER SAID, A GRASSROOTS APPROACH, LET´S PUT BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

SO WE STARTED TO CALL IT LET´S PUT THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

WE STARTED WITH THAT.

AND THEN OF COURSE THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER´S STAFF IN ST. THOMAS LEARNED HOW TO CONDUCT TESTING.

EPIDEMIOLOGY, DR. ELLIS AND HER TEAM, THEY WERE THE ONES TEACHING.

WE WENT OUT TOGETHER, COMMUNICABLE DISEASE DIVISION, ALSO DOING TESTING.

SO IT´S NOT ONE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH APPROACH.

IT´S TRULY A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH.

I´VE ACTUALLY BEEN AT SOME OF THE SITES.

I DO THE I.T.

INTAKE, JUST TO MAKE SURE DO I THAT APPROACH.

BUT IT´S TREMENDOUS, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING, SOME DAYS WE TEST OVER 6, 700, ONE DAY 800 INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

SO WE´RE GETTING AN EXCELLENT RESPONSE.

I THINK THAT´S REALLY AND TRULY THE WAY TO GO.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I SAID THIS MORNING IS THAT WE MAY HAVE TO GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE BEFORE, WHEN WE HAD HIGH NUMBERS.

WE MAY HAVE HIGH NUMBERS AGAIN.

THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO, GO RIGHT BACK TO WHERE WE WERE, GO BACK TO THE PUBLIC, CHANGE THE MESSAGING.

MESSAGING IS IMPORTANT.

COMMUNICATIONS, OUR DIRECTOR OF PR, SHE DOES AN AWESOME JOB WITH HER MESSAGING IN TERMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA, RADIO.

WE GO ON THE RADIO ALL THE TIME.

SOMETIMES IT´S IMPORTANT TO CHANGE IT UP.

THAT´S BASICALLY WHAT WE´RE DOING.

>> THE FACT THAT THERE ARE PROVEN STRATEGIES THAT ACTUALLY WORK, PEOPLE ARE GETTING COVID FATIGUE.

IT REALLY MAKES YOU A LITTLE NOT AS VIGILANT AS WE WERE WHEN THE NUMBERS WERE REALLY HIGH.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGING YOU´RE PROVIDING TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE STAY ON POINT AND WEAR YOUR MASK AND DON´T GET COMFORTABLE?

>> CONSISTENCY IS IMPORTANT.

I HAVE TO SAY, WE WERE TEASING, A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AGO, I SAID I FEEL LIKE I´M A WALKING MESSENGER.

I SAID, I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO PUT A T-SHIRT ON THAT SAYS, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND THE MESSAGE IS RIGHT HERE.

GUESS WHAT, WE´RE ACTUALLY CREATING T-SHIRTS THAT ACTUALLY GIVE VERY PROVOCATIVE MESSAGES TO THE COMMUNITY, REMINDING THEM OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, NOT JUST TO KEEP YOU SAFE BUT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU SAFE.

BASICALLY IT´S CONSISTENCY, CHANGING THE MESSAGES UP EVERY SO OFTEN.

BEING PROVOCATIVE IS NOT A BAD IDEA.

I THINK THAT THAT IS GOING TO CATCH YOU INDIVIDUALS´ EYES.

THE GENTLEMAN ASKED, DO YOU REALLY HAVE IT UNDER CONTROL.

THE ANSWER IS YES, WE DO.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE KUDOS, IT ACTUALLY GOES TO MY TEAM.

WE WORK SO COLLABORATIVELY AND WELL TOGETHER.

THERE ARE SOME BUMPS AND BRUISES BUT LET ME TELL YOU, WE GET TOGETHER AND WE HAVE FUN AND WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> THE DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, YOU GUYS WORK HAND IN HAND TO RESPOND TO COVID.

SO, YOU KNOW, HE GAVE US A LITTLE UPDATE ON WHERE THINGS WERE.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM.

AND LET´S TAKE A LISTEN.

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE OVER 13,000 INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE TERRITORY WHO HAVE RECEIVED A VACCINE.

WE HAVE 31 PROVIDERS RIGHT NOW IN ST. CROIX, ST. THOMAS, AND ST. JOHN, PROVIDING PFIZER OR MODERNA VACCINATIONS.

WITH 31 PROVIDERS, IT´S A CHALLENGE, EVERYONE WHO WANTS THE VACCINE, WHICH HAS BEEN A GREAT DEMAND, GETTING THEIR APPOINTMENTS WITH THE PROVIDERS AND GETTING SET UP.

WE´VE WORKED TOGETHER WITH FEMA TO PUT TOGETHER A VACCINE HOTLINE, 340-777-VACS, CALL FROM 8:30 A.M. 340-777-VACS OR 8227.

WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS COVERING THE LINE FOR ST. THOMAS, ST. CROIX, ST. JOHN, EVEN WATER ISLAND.

WE´RE GOING THROUGH RISK ASSESSMENT, WE´RE CURRENTLY IN PHASE 1A AND FACE 1B.

IF YOU´RE SCREENED AND ELIGIBLE FOR THAT, WE´LL GET AN APPOINTMENT SET UP FOR YOU.

IF YOU´RE NOT CURRENTLY IN THE PHASE, WE´LL GET YOUR INFORMATION AND GET BACK TO YOU WITH AN APPOINTMENT WITH THOSE PROVIDERS.

ALSO IF YOU´RE AGE 65 AND UP, PLEASE, YOU´RE ELIGIBLE RIGHT NOW.

MAKE A CALL TO US AND WE´LL GET YOU AN APPOINTMENT.

ADDITIONALLY, WE´RE LOOKING AT SETTING UP WHAT´S CALLED MASS VACCINATION PROGRAMS ON ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX AND EVEN ST. JOHN.

WE´RE LOOKING AT STARTING THAT PROBABLY IN EARLY MARCH RIGHT NOW.

GOVERNOR BRYAN, THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH, HAVE A TREMENDOUS GOAL TO GET 50,000 SHOTS IN ARMS FOR UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS BY 1 JULY OF 2021.

OUR ALLOCATION RIGHT NOW TO THE END OF FEBRUARY IS APPROXIMATELY 38,000 DOSES.

AND WE HAVE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION COMING UP.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO SHORTAGE, SO CALL THE HOTLINE NUMBER AT 340-777-VACS, 8227.

>> SO I GOT ONE QUESTION FOR YOU.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE PEOPLE WHO SAY, I´M NOT TAKING THE VACCINE, LET ME GET MY BUSH, I´M GOING TO TAKE MY VITAMINS, AND I´M NOT GOING TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

AND HOW DO WE GET -- BECAUSE WE HAVE A GOAL OF 50,000.

WHAT IS THE APPROACH?

>> THE FIRST THING WE SAY, SINCE THE DIRECTOR SPOKE TO YOU, WE´RE CLOSER TO 17,000 INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

OUR ALLOCATIONS HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 42,000 PLUS.

THAT´S EXCELLENT.

THAT ALONE ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.

I WAS ASKED AT FIRST, DO WE MANDATE INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

I SAID, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

YOU ALLOW THEM TO SPEAK AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO SEEK THE BEST KNOWLEDGE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, CDC, WE´RE OUT THERE, PRACTICALLY TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK, PROVIDING EDUCATION TO AGENCIES, TO OFFICES, TO BUSINESSES.

SO WE´RE GIVING YOU THE EDUCATION.

THAT´S THE ONLY WAY YOU´RE GOING TO LEARN.

WE´VE HAD INDIVIDUALS WHO SAID THEY DIDN´T WANT TO TAKE IT WHO ARE NOW TAKING IT AND BRINGING OTHER INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE IT.

IT REALLY AND TRULY HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO DO THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO LEARN ABOUT.

AND I ALWAYS SAY THIS, YOU LEARN BUT YOU TEACH.

WE DON´T JUST LEARN BUT YOU TEACH.

>> EXCELLENT.

WE´RE GETTING TO THE END OF OUR PROGRAM.

BEFORE WE WRAP UP I WANT TO THANK OUR VIEWERS WHO REACHED OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS AFTER OUR LAST "RECOVERY IN FOCUS" BROADCAST.

WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION TODAY.

AND IT COMES VIA FACEBOOK FROM DEANNA ROGERS.

SHE WROTE, LUTHERAN CHURCH IS NOT ONLY HISTORIC BUT WE´RE IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.

OUR PROPERTIES ARE 350 YEARS OLD.

WOULD WE QUALIFY FOR GRANTS TO REPAIR OUR HALL AND ADJACENT ROOMS ON THE FACILITY?

AND THE ANSWER WAS YES.

YOUR FACILITY, THE CHURCH, IS ELIGIBLE.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES SO THAT YOU CAN BEGIN THAT APPLICATION AND WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND FOR ACTUALLY ASKING A QUESTION.

AS WE LEARN, WE TEACH, RIGHT, COMMISSIONER?

I´M GOING TO TAKE A QUICK WRAP-UP FROM YOU GUYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER MALLOY, YOUR CLOSING WORDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE MANY THINGS THAT MANY PEOPLE DO BEHIND THE SCENES TO GET WHAT WE NEED DONE.

SO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU.

AND COMMISSIONER.

TAKE US HOME.

YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATE.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO THIS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I´VE TAKEN SOME CUES FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT PUT THEIR QUESTIONS AND WANTING TO KNOW WHAT WE´RE DOING NEXT.

WE´RE ALWAYS LISTENING AND LEARNING, AND WE´RE ALWAYS PROCEEDING.

ACTION IS ACTUALLY WHAT WE´RE DOING.

I JUST REALLY WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US HERE TODAY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION AND SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE NOT JUST FOCUSED ON COVID, EVEN THOUGH COVID IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY BECAUSE IN ORDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO PROGRESS, WE HAVE TO COMBAT COVID.

BUT WE´RE ALSO FOCUSING ON OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND GETTING YOU THE HEALTH CARE THAT YOU NEED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR AN INFORMATIVE DISCUSSION.

WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR TODAY´S SHOW.

KEEP UP TO DATE BY VISITING US ONLINE.

YOU CAN ALSO KEEP THIS DISCUSSION ON FACEBOOK.COM/WTJX.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE´LL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.

♫♫ ♫♫ >>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.

>>> ON THE ACADEMY AWARDS EDITION OF "BEYOND THE CANVAS," WE SIT DOWN WITH WINNERS AND AND COMMITMENT TO STORYTELLING.

>> PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY CAN BUY A TICKET AND FLY TO WAKONDA.

>> I´VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SING AND DANCE ALL MY LIFE.

>> DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD BE RELEVANT FOR THIS?

>> I GUESS HE´S TALKING TO ME.

>> FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, AT 11:30 P.M. ON WTJX ORIGINALS.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO FEEL OKAY TO DRIVE, YOU´RE NOT OKAY TO DRIVE.

>>> EVERY DAY.

>> MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE CONNECTING.

>> FATHERS.

>> COSPLAYERS.

>> MENTORS.

>> ACTORS.

>> TIME TO DISCOVER HOW ACCEPTING OUR DIFFERENCES CAN MAKE US STRONGER.

>>> WE´RE ALL JUST TRYING TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING FOR THOSE WHO RELY ON US.

THAT´S WHY WE DON´T HAVE TIME TO BE SICK WITH THE FLU.

>> WE DON´T HAVE TIME FOR DELAYS.

>> WE DON´T HAVE TIME FOR SPILLS.

>> NEXT?

>> WE DON´T HAVE TIME FOR SETBACKS.

LET´S BE REAL.

>> GETTING THE FLU SHOT HELPS YOU FIGHT THE FLU.

>> GET A FLU SHOT FOR YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU TOO.