My Energy (Andrew Lopez): TAMACC Urges Latinos to get their COVID Vaccination

Thursday, August 5, 2021

TAMACC Urges Latinos to get their COVID Vaccination

TAMACC urges Latinos to get the shot

Launches campaign for Hispanic businesses to boost COVID-19 vaccine

The numbers are staggering. New coronavirus cases are surging in most U.S. states as vaccination rates remain below 50% and multiple new strains, like the Delta version, develop and spread.

Hispanics, who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 virus, stand to get hit harder than some communities with the new and dramatic increase in positive cases and deaths. Three of the five states that account for half of the new incline in cases are California, Texas, and Florida – three states with high Latino populations.

In Texas, 99.5% of COVID-related deaths are among unvaccinated people, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Vaccination is the only real option right now to get back to normal and the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) wants more Latinos to be vaccinated and is beginning efforts to educate and persuade Hispanics to get the shot. Members of Hispanic chambers across the state are already engaged at local levels to increase vaccinations in the Latino community.

As companies across the country announce measures to require vaccinations among employees, TAMACC is going to encourage all Hispanic businesses in Texas to do the same, particularly with new hires. TAMACC will soon be offering webinars and other online tools to help get the workforce fully vaccinated. Through its foundation, TAMACC is one of 12 Texas organizations that got a total of more than $400,000 in grants from Your Shot Texas to battle hesitancy and increase access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Latino Business Report

Texas Lawmakers on The Lam: Breaking a Special Session Quorum

Episode 22 – In this podcast episode, you will hear from three Texas State Representatives Art Fierro, Christina Morales, and Erin Zwiener. These lawmakers talk about their reasons for breaking Quorum and why they are in Washington, DC for the duration of the Special Session.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Cornyn Announces New Grant Funding for El Paso Hispanic Chamber

$2.7 Million in Federal Grants for Business Development Services for Local Small Businesses

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced last week that the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (EPHCC) has received two federal grants through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). $2,050,000 in federal funds will be allocated over the next five years for the EPHCC to continue their efforts in completing their MBDA Business Center and $757,000 in federal funds have been awarded to build an extension of the El Paso Coronavirus Response & Relief Center, which have supported local businesses affected by COVID-19.

“I applaud this investment which will equip the Chamber to continue their work to strengthen and diversify the Sun City’s vibrant economy,” said Senator Cornyn. “With these funds, the Chamber will be better able to train, recruit, and empower local small, minority and women businesses who are crucial to the future of El Paso.”

“The critical importance of the resources provided through the MBDA Business Centers is that they provide the cornerstone of helping minority businesses grow and scale,” said Cindy Ramos-Davidson, CEO of the EPHCC and Operator of the MBDA Business Center-El Paso. “The need for the resources provided by the El Paso MBDA Business Center was very evident last year, and going into this year, with so many businesses still facing the uncertainty of our economy. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to drastically impact the minority businesses in our border region but knowing that these opportunities exist and are available to them, helps lessen the uncertainty!”