Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 8-20-20 E-edition

Thursday, August 20, 2020
The View From Here
Most of us thought the shelter in place or- der would only last two weeks.
The order
went into ef-
fect in late
March, right
before my
birthday if I remember cor- rectly.
There were certain feel- ings of annoyance that reso- nated from me. I’d have to wait an entire “two weeks” before life went “back to normal.”
Here we are however, five months later. And, although the order, has changed in some counties and relaxed certain restric- tions- it is still here.
The last couple of weeks in the Central Valley, stu- dents started a new school year.
This year however, in- stead of the usual; back to school shopping sprees or kickoff district meetings, there was only preparation from worried parents for how'd they handle online or as some district's called it, distance learning.
Some parents are feeling a sense of worry especially those who have students with special needs.
How will they handle the new normal?
Where to set up the class- room space? Will it be in the living room? What if the dog barks, what if the doorbell rings? How will this affect student’s abilities to learn?
I spoke several students who told me they were not too thrilled about continuing online or distance learning.
As much as they didn’t like waking up for school before or sitting in a class- room throughout the day, they said that was far bet- ter than not having a daily routine at all.
Many of these students hated to admit this but most of them told me they en- joyed the daily structure that school brings.
I mean sure waking up early isn’t fun for most teenagers and school age children. Rushing to school, making it on time, the stress of the classroom, other per- sonalities those factors can be difficult for some.
But even with all that in place students told me they missed in class learning.
The next few months will be interesting. Hopefully we can flatten the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hopefully this year's pandemic has taught us to appreciate our in person ex- periences and not take them for granted again.
Mid Valley Times
With an excessive heat warning in effect for several cities in Fresno County in- cluding; Reedley, Sanger and Dinuba, cooling centers are opening up to help residents escape the high temperatures.
“There were four people who utilized our [Reedley] cooling center,” said Jodie Botello, senior coordinator for the City of Reedley. “Today I received three phone calls so far, but we haven’t had anyone in yet.”
Botello said the city’s Se- nior Room, which was used as a gathering and activity lo- cation for local seniors, closed back in March when the shel- ter in place orders were first issued.
Since then the building has been vacant.
“Sierra View Homes and Palm Village Retirement Com- munity used to be the cooling centers for the city of Reed- ley’s residents,” she said. “But because of Covid-19 and the new restrictions both of those facilities are not allowing visi- tors.”
Botello knew that with
Juanita Adame
Cooling centers open during heat wave By Juanita Adame
Photos by Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
The Senior Citizen room at the Reedley Community Center opened on August 14 and will remain open as long as temperatures in the Central Valley rise above 105 degrees.
high temperatures plaguing the valley in mid August, they could utilize the Senior Room as the city’s cooling center.
“I suggested to Sara Reid, [Reedley’s Community Ser- vices Director] that maybe we did something here for the residents of Reedley,” she said. “If it’s forecasted to be 105 or greater that morning we will announce on the city’s website that the center will be open from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m."
Botello said that guests are required to pass a health screening and wear masks when utilizing the cooling
See CENTERS Page A8
Tips to reduce energy usage
1. Pre-cool your home overnight by turning a/c down to 72 degrees
2. Keep A/C at 78 degrees or higher during peak hours 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
3. Avoid use of major appliances during peak hours
4. Turn off all unceccesary lights
5. Sign up for alerts at flexalert.org
Newest addition to Sanger Adventist Medical team
Parmeet Sidhu started with Ad- ventist Medical Office in Sanger in August and is the teams new- est nurse practitioner.
Contributed
The Adventist Medical Clinic in Sanger welcomed their newest family nurse practitioner to the team in early August.
Parmeet Sidhu said she was inspired to practice medicine after witnessing how health- care providers took care of her grandmother following her grandmother’s lung cancer diagnosis.
“I chose family medicine, as I wish to provide care across the life span,” said Sidhu. Sidhu earned her mas- ter’s degree in nursing from the Charles Dew University, School of Medicine and Sci-
ence in Los Angeles as part of the university’s family nurse practitioner program.
She also has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Cali- fornia State University, Ba- kersfield and is fluent in Eng- lish, Punjabi and Hindu.
“I love what I do because
every day is a gift,” said Sidhu. “I have the opportunity to care for patients and help them achieve the highest quality of life.”
Recently married, Sidhu enjoys spending time with her husband and family. Other in- terests include working out and traveling.
Sidhu is accepting new pa- tients and may be reached at Adventist Health Medical Of- fice in Sanger. The medical office is located at 1939 Acad- emy Ave., in Sanger.
For more information and appointments are available by calling 559-875-6900 or visiting SangerCare.com.
"I love what
I do because everyday is a gift."
-Parmeet Sidhu Adventist Medical
Sierra View Homes CNA to retire after 41 years
Photo of the week
PhotoCourtesySIerraViewHomes/FacebookPage
From left, Ro Linscheid, the Executive Director and CEO of Sierra View Homes in Reedley posed for a photo with Virginia Cruz, a CNA with the center who will be retiring after 41 years of service.
Pre-quarantinedays.Aphotoof AmandaSearlandTristinHer- rera posing for a photo at Reedley College before the quarantine began was sent in by Amanda Searl. Have a photo you'd like fea- tured? Email juanita@midvalleypublishing.com.
Contributed