'Unite with Light' Offers Safe Way to Show Support for Medical Professionals and First Responders
April 3, 2020 - San Antonio
We’ll leave the light on for you. On March 23, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued separate but joint Stay Home, Work Safe Orders to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Tonight, locals who are staying connected while apart will honor medical professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle during the one-hour Unite with Light event. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
On April 3, San Antonio residents will have an opportunity to collectively show their support for the medical workers and first responders who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle. At 7:30 p.m., locals will be encouraged to illuminate the outside of their homes for a quarantine-friendly event titled Unite with Light.
For one heartfelt hour, candles, flashlights and glow sticks will light up porches, apartment windows and balconies in honor of those who are keeping San Antonio healthy during an increasingly dark chapter in world history.
“Now more than ever, thank you to every doctor and healthcare worker on the front lines of COVID-19,” said District 3 City Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran via Facebook. “Thank you for your tireless work to keep our communities safe. Before, during, and after this pandemic, you risk your health to serve and save lives.”
Viagran and Brooks are the organizers of the event.
Although San Antonio is under Stay Home, Work Safe orders until April 9, participants are invited to stay connected while apart by sharing their photos and videos on all social media platforms using the #unitewithlightsa hashtag.
"Let's show these heroes that we are united with them and appreciate their incredible efforts," said the social media event description.
On Thursday night, San Antonio recorded 254 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nine virus-related deaths. Photo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Thursday night, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has recorded 254 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Nine people have died.
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The two zip codes with the highest number of confirmed coronavirus infections (each with 13 to 16 cases) are 78209, the Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills area, and 78245, which is located on the city’s far West Side.
“Real heroes don’t wear capes. They wear scrubs,” said a Brooks spokesperson.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer at the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.