Page 24 - June 2020 Courier.pub

Message from the Mayor:

Moving to reopen and looking out for each other

ryone is adjusting to new social norms and new to one another as we get through this together.
ways of doing things—things that we used to Family Meal Roseville
do without a second thought now take planning Family Meal Roseville helps residents and
and intention. businesses by purchasing meals from Roseville
As we move forward in a different world, we restaurants and providing them to vulnerable
want to maintain the progress we’ve made in residents in our community facing food insecu-
slowing the virus. A reopening doesn’t mean a rity. This program launched just two weeks ago
By John B. Allard II return to the life we once knew. Social distanc- (see video here) and received an outpouring of
ing, hand-washing and the other safety direc- support from the community. A $50,000 grant
Last week, Governor Newsom approved Placer tives remain imperative. from the City’s Citizens’ Benefit Fund started
County to move into stage 2 of reopening. Instead, a reopening means learning to use new the initial phase. With donations the first week
Placer County was one of the first and most processes in familiar places. We also need to from Placer Community Foundation’s COVID-
populous of California’s counties to receive remember that it’s new for everyone and af- 19 Response Fund, Sutter Health, Rotary Club
this approval. It happened because of positive fects people in different ways. of Roseville, Roseville Firefighters, and dozens
health data and advocacy by our City at the of individual donations, the program is expand-
County and state levels. It means considering that someone might not ing this week to include more restaurants and
understand what you’re saying because they
On the health side, I want to thank Placer can’t see your facial expression or read your more sites, serving 940 households weekly.
County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson and lips behind a mask. They may not be able to I want to express my sincere appreciation to
the County’s Public Health Department for hear you as well behind the plastic barrier that Roseville Transit for providing delivery from
their leadership in providing guidelines and now may divide us. We can all be patient and restaurants to sites, to Roseville Electric for
explanations that helped our residents meet the kind, and ready to speak a little louder and re- their significant in-kind support, and to Bay-
health criteria to begin a phased reopening. Our peat ourselves if needed. side Church for providing 500 cloth masks for
residents’ diligence in adhering to these guide- residents and volunteers. Our city staff and
lines significantly slowed the spread of the vi- It means that traffic is coming back! Those of their families are volunteering at school and
rus so we were in a safer position to reopen. us who have been enjoying the open roads will community sites to deliver meals. At one of our
need to slow back down and drive safely and school sites, teachers are volunteering to take
On the advocacy side, our city pushed for au- with courtesy. Our streets and roads belong to
tonomy to open when it was safe to do so here, everyone, from the new drivers to the older meals to families in need.
not based on health data in other parts of the drivers who would rather stay safely at home I especially want to recognize our dedicated
state. We urged regional variance, and we also but need to take care of critical errands. We community partner, Health Education Council.
pushed for the state to develop operational and owe all of our fellow human beings this respect This non-profit has been working with our City
equipment safety guidelines for the eventual on the roads. through the Invest Health partnership for the
reopening of all sectors of our economy. past four years. Family Meal Roseville is the
It means being patient and planning ahead. In- latest result of the collaboration to improve
Within days, we were encouraged to hear the stead of the walk-in service you’re used to, you
governor’s remarks reflect the kinds of actions will likely need to make appointments and wait health outcomes throughout our community.
we were advocating. We sent a letter to the a little bit longer for service. You may have to Their organization is staffed with experts in
governor’s office letting him know we support- follow new walking instructions inside familiar public health and experienced community or-
ed this approach. establishments. ganizers. We are so grateful for their partner-
ship.
It means remembering that health officials rec- This pop-up program is scheduled to conclude
Phased reopening of our community ommend wearingmasks.. Establishments serv-
Last week, our community began a phased reo- ing the public have a right to require masks and June 12 due to funding allowances, and you
pening. to refuse service to those who don’t com- can follow our progress on Facebook.
This brings mixed feelings throughout our ply.They’redoing their best to protect their em-
community. Since March, we’ve heard from ployees and their customers. Transparency and public access
people with opposing points of view passion- We are moving forward at the pace allowed. I On March 17, we held our first City Council
ately insist that their perspective is the correct want to thank our incredible community for meeting where the public was not in physical
approach. your civility and caring. At the city level in a attendance, but the public was still able to par-
ticipate via email, phoning in, and submitting
The approach the City of Roseville is following health crisis, we follow state laws. There is so written comments. As we’ve been doing for
is the law of the state. I’m asking for us to much we can’t control about a pandemic, but
show patience and grace with each other. Eve- we can control the amount of grace we extend
June 2020 Page 24 continued on next page