Sebastappeal by Sarah Glade Gurney — May 2020
It’s helpful to take in advice about how to cope in this strange new world we’ve entered, where it can feel, one moment, like time is crawling, then some dramatic shift happens to reshuffle everything in an instant.
Advice is more plentiful as the stay-at-home period lengthens. The best third-hand counseling I’ve received comes via Supervisor Lynda Hopkins’ frequent updates. She cited a mental health professional identified only as a member of the Friends of Rio Nido. Here’s my pithy version:
• Become aware of your thoughts, assess them, and reset your mind, away from anxiety, to ease the overwhelm.
• Reach out to a family member or friend to tell a fun story about your past and, in sharing, feel the joy.
• Find a special place just for yourself, inside or outside, and use it to escape and to renew.
Embrace your inner child and, if that person isn’t funny or happy, write your memoirs for therapy (I added a bit of my own advice in there).
Thankfully, information about resources continues to expand and to update. On a weekly basis the City emails a special edition of the Community Newsletter. In a comprehensive and clear way, the newsletter details how the City delivers services with safety protocols in place, lists meetings, offers tips such as on fire safety and water conservation, promotes resources for local businesses, and provides links to other important information.
The City’s website features a new COVID-19 Resource and Information Section: https://ci.sebastopol.ca.us/Article/Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Resource-Page .
Helpfully, the COVID-19 section is divided into 8 sub-pages:
• Orders and Declarations
• City Services and Essential Utilities
• Credible Sources
• Community Support Resources
• Open Businesses
• Small Business and Employee Resources
• FAQs
• Videos, including updates from Mayor Patrick Slayter
The website also offers support for people who have or think they may have COVID-19, and for those confined at home who need help with shopping or other tasks. Soon, if not already, there will be a list of stores that offer shopping hours for seniors, at-risk customers, and first responders. Links will direct Spanish-speakers to the appropriate SoCoEmergency pages.
It seems like folks are practicing social/physical distancing, donning masks, and avoiding public spaces when leaving home. If you encounter a problem, the first remedy might be to walk away from the situation to preserve your safety. But what if you’re picking up food-to-go or in a grocery store aisle and someone else isn’t staying 6 feet away and you can’t escape? In this small community, you may know the store manager or owner so you might try speaking directly to them.
If you can’t do that or aren’t successful, call the Sebastopol Police Department at their non-emergency number 707.829.4400. The Police Department is the City’s first line of defense. Only the SPD can make a determination of violation. If warranted, an officer will first speak with the person and offer guidance on adhering to best practices. Then the Officer may resort to additional enforcement resources from the County.
The City will not be providing face coverings. The reasoning is that these are simple and inexpensive (or free) to put together from materials on hand at home. To find out what’s acceptable as a face covering, see https://socoemergency.org/order-of-the-health-officer-facial-coverings .
One question I’ve been asked a few times: what is the City doing about the street campers, now that we have a pandemic? The SPD continues to enforce the regulations and laws, for instance the 72-hour move rule. Public Works has placed and will maintain hand washing stations and public toilets throughout the City to help keep the entire community healthy. Our churches and charitable organizations offer food, clothing and, in some instances, shelter.
I’ll close with a comment I’ve heard often: how much quieter it’s become in town—and delightfully so—with fewer cars and less air traffic. Take care. Take caution.
