Daily life is changing; We all must do our part
The news comes fast these days. Miss a four-hour news cycle and you have some catching up to do. It happens on every level — from around the world, to our nation, down to our state and finally our county.
When the California Department of Public Health outlined new guidelines last week for public gatherings, the county quickly followed suit. Essentially it wants any gathering of 250 people or more postponed or canceled, and any other gathering should be in a venue that allows for six feet of distance between attendees. It has since rapidly changed as Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order for all Californians, except those considered essential, to stay at home. Yes, you can still do grocery shopping, get your prescriptions, go outside and enjoy the sun, unless we have another power outage-causing snow storm and walk your dog, just maintain your distance.
This is new for everyone. Essential businesses, as explained by the state includes food places like grocery stores, farmers markers, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants, pharmacies, gas stations, banks and Laundromat/ laundry services, will remain open. Other jobs, including those essential to critical infrastructure, like health care and public health, government facilities, emergency services and water, remain open as well.
But unless you have to, don’t go out, the governor said.
This is all to help mitigate the quickly spreading novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
We are posting pertinent information to our website, lassennews.com. There is now a convenient space on the home page labeled “COVID-19 Lassen Update.” Simply click on it and all of our stories on the subject will be listed in chronological order. If you have information that you want included, please email us at mdavis@lassennews.com, and we will do our best to post it for you.
While organizations and entities grapple with what to do for regular meetings and special events, we as individuals can do our part as well. Maintain a space between you and others when you are out in public. Practice good sanitation. Don’t go out if you are ill or if it’s not essential. The virus is here and all we can hope to do now is slow its spread. If we don’t, our health care facilities will be overrun. The doctors, nurses and other staff are our friends, family and neighbors; we need to do our part to protect them.
The more people we come into contact with, the greater the chance of bringing the virus home to Lassen County. Yes, it sounds a little paranoid, but it’s exactly what the county and the state are recommending. Texas is actually considering closing its borders. It’s why President Trump closed down travel from China and now much of Europe. Will it stop the coronavirus? No. But will it slow its spread? Yes. Could it save your neighbor? A family member? A friend? Quite possibly.
