Mayor Nirenberg Signs National Pledge to Connect 1 Million Older Adults to Internet

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg has signed the national Aging Connected pledge to help get local seniors online, reports News 4 San Antonio . The pledge was launched by the nonprofit Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) and the Humana Foundation as an initiative to connect at least 1 million U.S. seniors to the Internet by June 2022, ensuring their access to affordable broadband. "I was pleased to be the first mayor to sign the 'Mayors for Aging Connected Pledge,'" Nirenberg stated. "COVID-19 has greatly affected in-person means of social connection, information sharing, and social service for everyone, but especially for older adults. Factor in no access to Internet or a device, and the consequences become more severe: lack of access to public health information, diminished social support, and high rates of social isolation." OATS called its plan a category of network linking service providers and elected officials. "This pledge will help hold community leaders accountable in taking actionable steps to move the needle forward," said OATS Texas State Director DeAnne Cuellar. "We may have started in San Antonio, but we are calling on mayors across geographies to help make a change."