Page 40 - Sonoma County Gazette 6-20

There is plenty of sunlight on the majestic redwoods surrounding my airy cyber-hut. Several good rainfalls have washed off the dust in the forest and beyond, leaving newly planted gardens and annual flowers watered and waving towards the sun. I feel the same way - oriented skyward!
Wow, June already? Time does fly.
As we are currently not having any of the usual annual local events, which are much anticipated, I will mention one of my favorites. The St. Colmans Ladies Guild Salad Luncheon is legendary. A convivial afternoon at this wonderful event, which has been happening for about fifty years is filled with friendly attendees - serving delicious homemade salads of all types, a terrific raffle and there are often various games at your table.
In any other year, you would be happily digesting CMVFD pancakes as you read this. The annual pancake breakfast has not been held, for reasons painfully obvious. Other than that, what is the state of Camp Meeker? It is healthy, let’s start with the happy news. Only five percent of the coronavirus cases are in West County – that’s about twenty as of this writing. It’s true that cases are ramping up in the central county – over 400 as I write this. That number is going to continue to grow, as will the death toll.
I particularly enjoyed several years ago with all tables representing a country. I was at the Canadian table with clever hostess Laura Bennett. Not only did we have great decor, tasty hors d’oeuvres and cold drinks, plus a special cake. And then we all got to stand up and sing O Canada in French and English! I do hope that this memorable event returns soon.
That means more cases and more risk. I’m not going to debate the wisdom of that move, or the underlying economics that are driving it. There is more than enough of that online, and you might be just as tired of it as I am.
I had a nice chat with Cassie Wiedmann, proprietor of the soon to be opened ‘CAZZIE’S’ located adjacent to the Cazadero store. Cassie will offer hair styling & cuts, beauty services & bookkeeping. 707-788- 6181, cazzies.com.
Let’s talk about risk. It’s on your mind, as it should be. How do you protect yourself, if your safest option (staying at home, still getting a paycheck, and having everything delivered and left at your doorstop) is not available to you?
The news here is not all bad
Cazadero Supply continues to offer up a fascinating array of hardware, vehicular necessities, garden and household products and tires. Currently open Mon.-Fri. at 632-5257.
We have, collectively, learned something about this virus in the last three months. The most important knowledge is that magnitude matters. This
is a big reason why the response to infection seems so random: a person in the risk groups stays asymptomatic, while a young and healthy person dies from it. The chances are that the young and healthy person got a bigger
dose. This means you don’t have to be perfect to survive: a small viral load
is more survivable than a big one. The rule of thumb is that it takes at least
a thousand “viral particles” ingested to actually infect you. If you get one,
or a dozen, your immune system will polish it off without you even noticing it. You still need to do all the things: wear the mask, wash your hands, social distance. Anything you do, even if not done perfectly, will improve your odds.
Raymond’s Bakery offers take-out, as do Cape Fear Café and Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery. Their delicious pastries, coffee and other drinks, plus pizza are easily acquired under the umbrellas out front. The Duncans Mills Tea Shop offers online orders.
Both the Cazadero and Duncans Mills stores continue to stock daily groceries, local wines, meats, smoked fish and more.
The regular monthly meetings of the Cazadero Community Club are on hiatus. You may join for only $15 individuals or $25 family donation- payable to PO Box 3, Cazadero.
The latest knowledge is that contracting the virus by way of touching contaminated surfaces is no longer considered a major risk. It is still possible, of course: in laboratory conditions, the virus can survive a long time on
some surfaces. In real world conditions, probably less so. Also, one particle surviving and making it onto your fingertip is not likely to make you sick. What you need to worry about most is the air you breathe. But breathe easier: just walking by in infected person on the street is not going to be enough to infect you. You would need to be sharing air with that person for (rule of thumb, again) ten minutes for your risk to rise out of the negligible zone.
Be aware that after June 1 the county will be dealing with what
they have labeled Slide #5 on King Ridge Road.
Lots of folks are affected by the crumbling roadways there and everywhere. When will the rest of Cazadero Highway be repaired?
I want to thank all of the various first responders for making us feel safer. The grocery clerks also deserve our thanks at this precarious time. But it is up to us - to you - to observe mandated and practical measures such as using face coverings and observing social distancing. No close dancing yet!
Speaking of which, I want to wish my dear husband Gregorio a very
All this new knowledge is going to play out differently for everyone who reads this. Some of you are already convinced that this is just a particularly nasty flu, and will use this information to argue that it’s time to “tough it out”, or “herd immunity” whatever phrase you want to use. Others will hunker down that much harder and consider that nice fixer-upper hermit cave you saw on Zillow.
happy 50th wedding anniversary on June 21. We danced then and will also do so again soon.
I wish a very Happy June Anniversary to Toni and Ted Parmeter.
Happy June birthdays to Bob Kelly on the 1st, Jesse Abend on 6/5, hardware expert Don Berry on 6/10, Linda Baswell, tireless volunteer, will celebrate on 6/12, Jeff Parmeter on 6/15 and Marsha Weidmann on 6?20.
So where DO we go from here? We had all hoped that by now the whole thing would be behind us, and it’s not. On the other hand, when all is said and done your odds of making it through this are pretty good. We are living in that in between land, and we are going to be here for a while. The trick here is to have the right amount of fear and respect.
Enough fear to keep you safe, but not so much that you cripple yourself emotionally.
Enough respect for other people that you remember their answer might be different than yours.
Wear that mask. For them.
Happy Father’s Day and congratulations to the many graduates. Celebrate and eat cake!
I hope that you are all well and able to help others as much as is possible. Please ask for help if needed. There are lots of compassionate, generous individuals and groups in Sonoma County. Call Supervisor Lynda Hopkins’ office at 565-2866 for information.
Remember that we are not alone and will emerge.
Please drive carefully and call me at 632-5545 or email mayawrld@sonic.net with info for your Cazadero Column.
And now, the state and the county are “opening up.”
40 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 6/20