Cher tells Rio Grande Valley county hit hard by COVID-19 ‘Dios te bendiga’ in heartfelt PSA

Music icon Cher sent a heartfelt public service announcement to Hidalgo County in response to the COVID-19 outbreak there.

The Rio Grande Valley county, which encompasses cities like Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Weslaco, shared the 35-second PSA on Facebook Thursday morning.

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“Moved by some of the stories of courage emanating from Hidalgo County, Cher reached out to emergency management officials in California where she lives and said she wanted to help,” the county said. “Those officials, in turn, reached out to emergency management officials in Texas who reached out to Eddie Olivarez, director of Hidalgo County Health and Human Services.”

In the video, Cher reminds residents of COVID-19 safety protocols and sends some words of encouragement.

“When I saw how hard COVID-19 has hit your community, I had to reach out and let you know you’re in my prayers,” the songstress says in the message.

She also asked residents to keep each other encouraged to not lose their power

Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez commented on what the video meant to his community.

“Cher is a beloved treasure in our country and her desire to send prayers to Hidalgo County makes her more special to those of us in the Rio Grande Valley,” Cortez said. “I thank her for her blessings and I urge residents of Hidalgo County to listen to her message.”

Hidalgo County was part of the three regions excluded from Gov. Greg Abbott’s Thursday announcement to loosen COVID-19 restrictions in areas where hospitalization rates are falling. During the news conference, he said the Rio Grande Valley, Laredo and Victoria have rates that are “still too high.”

Cher ended her video with a bilingual blessing, “Dios te bendiga, God bless you.”

Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | [email protected] | @maddyskye