Humboldt’s competitive advantage
Masks, social distancing, and hand washing will keep our economy going
In the early 2000s I traveled to China, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia for an extended work trip. Everywhere I went — in airports, shops, on the street — there were always a few people wearing face masks. A local friend explained they probably had a bit of a cold and were trying not to pass it on. She tilted her head, curious, and asked whether this was not also done in the U.S. It was a revelation. These weren’t immune compromised or paranoid folks trying to protect themselves from the world. They weren’t people with tuberculosis. Nothing so dramatic: it was just a little courtesy from one member of a community to another. “I have a nasty cold and would hate for you to catch it so I’ll just put on this mask for a bit to keep you safe.”
This is a lesson we have all now learned at home with another airborne virus; albeit a far deadlier one. The COVID-19 virus is transmitted mostly by air, just like cold viruses. But the consequences of failing in our courtesy and community protection are far more serious.
You’re probably reading, as I am, about the people who are not just dying but living for weeks and months with debilitating long-term health problems caused by COVID-19. You may be wondering, as I am, how long your favorite local restaurant or hardware shop will be able to stay open if our infection rates spike and we’re forced back into closures.
We can control that. And we have two competitive advantages. One: being rural and remote reduces the risk that comes from overcrowding. What a gift to be able to walk down a quiet hiking path or empty beach every weekend! Two: we are very effective at mobilizing to help each other when called. Look at the housing, food, cash, and even animal care the ordinary folks at Pay it Forward Humboldt and Humboldt Mutual Aid mustered during the wildfires. Or the thousands of donated masks and sanitizer that a few folks organized to distribute to struggling small businesses and nonprofits last month. When we decide to help each other in a crisis we go all out, don’t we?
Let’s keep it up. This is one economic crisis we can affect with simple daily behaviors and a spirit of community care.
• Here’s what we will all do to protect our community and economy until there is a widespread, effective vaccine:
• Wear a mask in public spaces, maintain social distancing with people outside your household “pod,” wash your hands frequently.
• Firmly, gently require that people wear masks and social distance in your place of business — to protect you, your customers, and your employees.
• Join the “Wear a Mask Humboldt” campaign and take a fun selfie of you and yours wearing your fabulous masks: facebook.com/ WearAMaskHumboldt.
• Get some printed materials for your workplace at rredc.com/wear-themask.
• Join the 818 business owners who have built their plan for safe operations and filed them with the county: humboldtgov. org/2756/Business-Compliance. There’s even money to help pay for creating it.
• Sign up your business for bulk purchases of