Across the country and world, citizens are working to understand, manage and mitigate the risks and effects associated with the most recent global pandemic, Coronavirus (COVID-19).
All across America, schools, restaurants and businesses have either temporarily shut down, or fundamentally changed how they operate over the past few weeks.
While the unknowns associated with the pandemic are unsettling, such as the potential risk of spread, threat to families and loved ones and the short and long-term economic impacts, certain silver linings have already been seen in the Sahuarita community.
Families are checking in with each other. Residents are watching out for the elderly in their neighborhoods, who along with those with certain preexisting health conditions, are at the greatest risk. Parents are getting a little extra time with their children, finding a balance working remotely from home while also serving as teachers. The Sahuarita Unified School District and Continental School District have provided hundreds of free meals to children of the community, to ensure nutrition for children and serve as a relief to parents.
Support of local restaurants, whose business has been greatly impacted by the shutdowns, is happening across town. The restaurants in centers like the Rancho Sahuarita Marketplace are offering pick-up and “to-go” options for families, allowing them to support the establishments despite the shutdown of dine-in services. Sentiments of gratitude for healthcare professionals and others at the ‘front-lines’ of battling the virus are being shared across social networks. Positive thoughts and reminders are spread across the region on doors of businesses, and in sidewalk chalk in neighborhoods; serving as small reminders of the fact that citizens are all in this fight together.
Even though many families are finding this uncertain time to be scary and unsure, there are certain precautions that can be taken aimed at slowing the spread. Practices like selfquarantine, staying home if you are sick, and social distancing help limit potential exposure. If one has to go to the store or leave home for work, a space limit of about 6 feet between persons is recommended when out in public. Common-sense practices like washing hands with soap and warm water and disinfecting surfaces often are now even more necessary. Individuals are reminded to avoid touching the eyes, mouth or nose, and to remember to sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow, and
throw away the used tissues quickly after use.
While the future of the COVID-19 pandemic is in many ways unclear at this point, there are many ways that neighbors can band together, though apart, and take measures to protect themselves and each other.