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HOSPITAL IS SAFE

Dear residents,

From all of us at UT Health Tyler, we want to share a heartfelt thank you for the significant outpouring of support you have shown to our entire staff as they have worked hard caring for patients during this challenging time.

From kind messages of support, to meals and supplies delivered to our team members, your thoughtfulness has made a difference in the lives of our health care heroes. …

During the pandemic, there has been a nationwide decline in the number of patients seen in hospital emergency rooms for serious conditions including heart attack, injury and stroke. Delaying care can be life-threatening. We understand your concern and want you to know that we have continued to safely care for patients who are not COVID-19 patients throughout this pandemic. Our ER has been, and remains, open to care for all patients. … We are ready and able to manage your medical emergency in a safe environment with outstanding medical expertise and ample staff. We have taken extra precautions and implemented processes designed to keep you and our staff safe including:

— We have separate waiting and triage areas for patients with respiratory or infectious illness.

— We disinfect all areas before use by a patient.

— Our staff and patients wear appropriate masks and other protective equipment.

— We continue to screen all patients and caregivers for COVID-19 and test as needed.

— A separate nursing team cares for COVID-19 patients.

Safety for all is our top priority. Our ERs are here for you every day, around the clock. We welcome you to our campus for safe care.

Vicki Briggs, chief executive officer

TYLER SCHOOLS 1967

Tyler schools in 1967 were integrated on a “by choice” basis. That means hardly anyone attended a school with students of another race. I was a student at what was then Hubbard Jr. High, and I can assure you that there are fewer things meaner than girls that age.

One day, when I felt the sting of those dynamics, I retreated to the girls’ locker room in order to hide. The moment I entered the room, I saw a black girl sitting on one of the benches. Her family was comprised of some very brave souls, and her parents had sent their children to white schools that year. … On this particular day I was caught off guard when I found Dianne sitting in the dark of what I had hoped would be a sanctuary. … I honestly had no idea how to respond, so I said hello, pretended to get something out of my locker, and hurried out.

Today I still think of her. My cowardice has haunted me for years. I wish I had sat down beside her and talked with her. I wish I had asked her what it was like for her to be surrounded by white kids. I wish I had done something.

So, Dianne, if you’re still out there, I’m ready to listen.

Karol Morris, Whitehouse

ACTIVELY TURN AWAY

Like many towns in the South, Tyler has a long history of racism and lynching. It is time to let go of the racism. I know that most of you will deny that you are racist, but your silence and inaction speak for you. You are indifferent to the struggles of minorities in East Texas and it shows.

Confederate battle flags fly on t-shirts, trucks, and houses. The symbol that once marched in front of soldiers fighting for the right to enslave black people can now be found across East Texas. Glorifying a group who believed in the degradation and enslavement of human beings is immoral. If you are not actively turning away from the symbols and values of the Confederacy, then you are supporting a culture of racism and inequality. Unequivocally.

Tyler has named two public high schools after leaders of the Confederacy. When given the opportunity two years ago to change the schools’ names, to turn away from a legacy of violence and human trafficking, Tyler chose not to. It was going to be too much effort to change. Instead, Tylerites chose to turn their back on black citizens and use their schools as symbols of oppression rather than inspiration. …

Recent events spotlight many injustices inherent in the culture of East Texas. It is time to ACTIVELY turn away from racism to embrace unity and equality. Demand the removal of Confederate symbols from this community and its schools. Ask friends and family to remove Confederate symbols from their bodies, front yards, and cars. This is the first step on the road to a culture of equality for ALL East Texans. Do your part to start the change.

Stacey Allen, Flint