A message from Eureka’s mayor
As we find ourselves in this unprecedented and worrisome time, it can feel like we’re drowning in information, yet still left with so many questions regarding COVID-19. We’re becoming wellversed in social distancing and handwashing, but we’re also trying to pull together information to predict our own near future. Should we continue to plan that summer fundraising event, or cancel the wedding? How will this affect our business into the next year? Unfortunately, there’s no fact sheet to answer those questions.
For this past week, I have been meeting with our city manager several times a day, as well as with economic development professionals and concerned citizens to become as knowledgeable about our local circumstances and concerns as possible. I have conveyed questions and information to interested parties. I have refrained from speaking to the media about this because we have active communication between the city and Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services. Right now, succinct, coordinated reporting gives us our best advantage for dealing with this.
What I want to talk about today is our people. While we are all struggling with the current situation, many community members are still finding time to reach out to vulnerable populations and support local businesses. Thank you. That culture of kindness matters. As time passes and it begins to wear us down, we need to remember to be kind to the people closest to us, our families. It’s possible we’ll be spending a lot more time with them.
We’re focusing a lot on keeping you physically well, but paying attention to your mental health will also make a difference in how you weather this storm. It’s absolutely normal to be feeling sad, angry, frustrated and scared. Take a few quiet minutes and identify how you’re feeling and what circumstances within the situation are causing it. Are you worried about finances? Are you thinking about a family member who is out of town? Identifying that could give you a moment of clarity later in the day when you’re inconsolable after your cat unspooled an entire roll of precious toilet paper.
Try to find opportunities for routine. If you’re working from home, make a point to get dressed for work in the morning. Take the dog for walks. Maintain your garden. Some people are excited to make this a self-improvement project and are making elaborate lesson plans for their kids or are promising to eat dinner at the table with the family every night. If it works, that’s great. If you find that you’re not able to change habits in a time of great stress, give yourself a break. This is not the time to punish ourselves.
Remember to appreciate those nurses, doctors, grocery store workers, truckers, childcare providers, the post office and delivery drivers, garbage men and public employees who are making sure we can take care of our basic necessities for staying well. Not only do they deserve it, but gratitude increases energy, makes you more patient, enhances empathy and reduces aggression. It even improves physical health. But, it doesn’t protect you from COVID-19, so keep social distancing.
We’re going to get through this. We have a long history around here for being adaptive and innovative and standing together in times of hardship. When we come out of this, our greatest asset toward recovery will be our people. We need you to stay healthy and well. Be kind to each other. Be kind to yourself.
The city of Eureka website has links to information on topics of health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health), actions by our local governments (Humboldt Health Alert) and business resources and support services (Northcoast SBDC) on our website at ci.eureka.ca.gov. If you have questions about local COVID 19 efforts, please email COVIDinfo@ co.humboldt.ca.us. If you want to share your thoughts and general concerns, you can always reach out at sseaman@ci.eureka. ca.gov.