Monterey County Officials and Community will Gather to Unveil COVID-19 Memorial, to Honor Losses and Dedication to Others on February 3; A Day to Look Back in Honor and Forward in Hope.

 

The County of Monterey, alongside elected officials, community leaders, health officials, families, and friends, will hold a special ceremony on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the Monterey County Board of Supervisor Chambers located at 168 West Alisal Street on the 1st Floor in Salinas to unveil the countywide COVID-19 Memorial Garden.

 

Three years in the making, the Memorial, located at the Government Center Plaza in Salinas, will be a place of remembrance, reflection, and healing – honoring lives lost, recognizing grief endured, and acknowledging the dedication of first responders, frontline workers, educators, health care and public health professionals, families, and communities who supported one another throughout the pandemic.

 

940 Monterey County residents lost their lives to COVID-19 during the pandemic.

 

“Each life lost to Covid-19 mattered and leaves a hole in the hearts of loved ones, family members, friends, and the surrounding community,” says County of Monterey First District Supervisor Luis Alejo who championed the project beginning in 2021. “These were our grandparents, parents, relatives, and friends–loved ones we lost to this devastating pandemic.”

 

The ceremony will begin in the Board Chambers at approximately 10:30 a.m. and then move outside to the location of the Memorial for a special program, featuring speakers and the unveiling.

 

COVID-19 Response in Monterey County

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Monterey County took urgent action to protect public health and support vulnerable residents. Local hospitals, clinics, and the County Health Department rapidly expanded testing, treatment, and bilingual public information services while coordinating vaccination efforts throughout urban and rural communities. Recognizing the disproportionate impact on essential agricultural workers, community partners created the Monterey County COVID-19 Collaborative to deliver outreach, protective equipment, mobile clinics, food aid, and emergency relief to farmworker families and underserved neighborhoods.

 

Nonprofit organizations, schools, faith communities, and local governments worked together to provide mental health support, rental and small business assistance, childcare resources, and emergency services.

 

COVID-19 Recovery

Although the pandemic exposed challenges in communication and preparedness, it also revealed the resilience, compassion, and collaboration that defines our county and its residents. This spirit of unity continues today as the community honors lives lost and supports long-term recovery. The creation of this memorial is a lasting symbol of recovery and unity.

Artist: Shelby Hawthorne Bio

Shelby Hawthorne is a glass artist based in Sand City, California. Growing up along the Big Sur coastline in a family of artists, she developed an early appreciation for creativity and craft. She earned her BFA from the California College of the Arts in 2011 and continued her education at the Pilchuck Glass School. Shelby creates fused glass artwork that is inspired by the color, strength, and depth of glass.

COVID Memorial Project Inspiration

The concept behind the Covid Memorial Project was to create a space for people to reflect on lives lost during Covid.  The space is filled with color and positive energy to bring fulfillment and warmth back in your lives.  

The memorial being constructed of glass creates an opportunity to reflect on the fragility of life.  The metal represents the strong connection between family and community.  Together they hold the balance between love, loss and the human instinct to survive.  

The 5 sections represent the 5 districts of Monterey County.