Santa Rosa Snippets by Elaine B. Holtz - April 2020 - Covid-19

Life changed for all of us when on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially changed their classification of COVID-19 from a public health emergency of international concern to a pandemic. COVID-19 is the name of the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. I am sure like all of my readers when you heard from the Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, explained that the organization “has been assessing this outbreak around the clock, and we are deeply concerned, both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction. We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic,” like myself suddenly froze in disbelief. Thinking about the column and what to write, I wanted to know how Santa Rosa is coping and what different steps have been taken in Santa Rosa and throughout the county,

On March 19 Santa Rosa and all cities in Sonoma County were issued the Shelter in Place Order and on March 20 the order was extended to the whole state. I was advised that the County Health Department is responsible for the enforcement of this Order. If the Health Department needs support, they would contact the respective police department or Sheriff’s Office. In other words, Health is taking lead because this is a Public Health issue. Peace officers will back them up as needed.

To further support all efforts to prevent the virus from spreading, the Santa Rosa Fire and Police Departments are sealing themselves off from nonessential operations, canceling station tours, ride-along, training sessions and school visits. A reminder from the Sonoma County Department of Health to Santa Rosa and all Sonoma County residents:

Questions or concerns can be directed to the county’s 24-hour information hot line at211 or800-325-9604. You can alsotext "COVID19" to211211 for coronavirus information.

Santa Rosa supermarkets are doing their best to accommodate customers. To get an idea of how supermarkets in Santa Rosa were handling this challenge I found hours of operations have been somewhat shortened, senior hours are put in place in a variety of schedules and carts and baskets were sanitized after each use. All stores contacted are experiencing shortages of pasta and toilet paper. However, all report receiving daily truckloads of goods. Not one to date could give me an answer on why toilet paper was so important to consumers.

Raley’s – hours are 6AM to 11PM. Milk, eggs and produce are available, and the stores are working on accommodating seniors. Trader Joes – is open from9AM to 7PM and have four trucks arriving daily. During morning hours when it is most busy are allowing ten folks at a time in to shop,Oliver’s Market extended itssenior discount to Tuesday through Thursday from 7AM-4PM and like all markets has discontinued sampling and has closed all their food bars. All deli orders will be taken by staff only. Molsberry’s Market one of the smaller markets located in the Wickiup area of Santa Rosa hours are from 7AM -9PM with shipments coming in regularly. According to Dean Molsberry one of the owners, “Like all markets we seem to be holding our own. “ They have taken special precautions, after aperson uses a shopping cart, the cart is washed down with the sanitary solution and the shopping baskets are dipped in solution and put back. “Although there is extra work, “Our customers are our main concern,” said Molsberry. As a reporter I have found that this attitude has been expressed by all food establishments I talked with.

Please note: The most important thing right now is to stay safe and healthy. We are all in this together. The virus has no boundaries, and if one person is not safe none of us are safe, letting us know we are truly a global community and need one another to survive. A special thank you to all those frontline people who are helping, to our family and friends for support, we will get through this. Myself I have been turning my fears into trust, trusting that this too will pass, and we will all become better human beings and set our priorities to enhancing the quality of life for all.

Things are change rapidly from day to day. I have listed the following websites for resources, information and updates.

Link to the order: https://socoemergency.org/order-of-the-health-officer-shelter-in-place

Press Release: http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CAO/Press-Releases/Health-Officer-Orders-County-Residents-Shelter-in-Place

Shelter in place FAQs: https://socoemergency.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Health-Officer-Order-FAQs.pdf

Additional Information: https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus

Message from the Sheriff’s: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1079684802402613

March 3rd Election Results

During this election 2 Sonoma County Board of Supervisors were up for election that represent part of Santa Rosa. Incumbent Shirley Zane representing District 3 was running for her fourth term was defeated by Chris Coursey, former mayor of Santa Rosa. Incumbent Susan Goren who represents District 1 was running for her third term and defeated challenger Sonoma city councilmember, David Cook. Incumbent’s Congressman Mike Thompson, representing California’s 5th District which includes the west and southwest Santa Rosa areas extending in to Highway 101 and California State Assemblyman Incumbent Jim Wood who represents part of Santa Rosa held their seats.

This was also a primary election for President. Democratic Congressman Bernie Sanders won Sonoma County.

It’s a Sad Day

Condolences to Nancy and Harold Rogers my good neighbors for over 30 years, their son John Rogers passed away on Saturday March 7, quietly in his sleep at the age of 36. John was a loving son and brother. He was the type of person that would always lend a helping hand. John is survived by his parents; Harold and Nancy Rogers, Brother Harold Rogers, Jr., Sisters Tina Rogers, Tiffany Rogers, Tamara Moore, Natalie Rogers, and Nicole Rogers, his second mom Carolyn Moore, Nieces and Nephews Hayven Rogers, Angelina Luevano, Samiyah Beaufort, Luciano Luevano, King Harold Rogers and Kayden Rogers. John is also survived by his Cousins, Extended Family and Neighbors.

Just like the virus, John’s death was a shock to all of us who knew him. What these impacting events inspired in me is the reality that life is a gift to be lived one day at a time with the knowledge this may be your last, so enjoy and do a good deed.

Something to think about:

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.