A call for resilience, starting with facts, calm and care

John Mauro - Perspective

Posted

I’ve been in Port Townsend four months now. It’s not long, but it’s long enough to have a relatively clear command of the facts of how things work, to be calmly grounded in this place and to call a number of people good friends.

As our community sizes up the potential threat of COVID-19, it’s a really good time for facts, calm and working together.

For facts, we have a solid understanding of how the virus spreads, what each of us can do to limit our exposure and who is likely most vulnerable. Jefferson County Public Health, the state Department of Health and the U.S. CDC are your best sources – and all are linked from an alert on the city website (www.cityofpt.us). Spoiler: wash your hands, practice good hygiene habits and stay home if you’re sick.

Keep in mind that there’s a lot we don’t yet know, and we need to adapt as new information becomes available. Jefferson County Public Health is the lead local agency on COVID-19 and the city is in full support mode, alongside the County Emergency Operations Center and others. We’re working closely together to coordinate planning, response and communication and to counter misinformation, which can feed unproductive action, fear and panic. That’s where calm comes in. Updated local information is posted here: 

https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/1429/COVID-19

On friends, we all need to step up and take better care of each other, and this goes beyond just friends. Caring means both social distancing and forging closer connections – they’re not mutually exclusive. Social distancing means abandoning the handshake, maintaining greater distance from people at work or school, and considering limiting certain gatherings.(The city will post changes to our events or services on our website.)

Yet just because we’re retreating some from closer physical contact doesn’t mean we can’t foster closer connections with one another. Neighborhood disaster readiness is something Port Townsend does well – and can keep building on. Knowing your neighbors is a good start, as well as their skills, equipment, needs, health issues and specific challenges they might face. Connecting in person is valuable, but many of us can stay connected via phone or email, at least for now. Well-organized neighbourhood groups can and should check-in, plan, divvy up tasks and respond effectively and efficiently. Moreover, the potential collision of homelessness and COVID-19 or how local businesses, employees, parents and institutions can withstand a range of additional pressures will require the same kind of collective care and working together.

A community-level outbreak of COVID-19 will require more of us all. For those who think this is unlikely, I simply say this: we need to, regardless. This isn’t the only threat we face now and into the future. Whether it’s COVID-19, a major earthquake or the creeping disasters of climate change, affordability and inequality, communities won’t have a chance unless they are aware, connected, strong and resilient. I believe in this community – and believe we must dig deep to forge a renewed sense of calm urgency and care. After all, who knows when we might need it most.

(John Mauro is Port Townsend’s city manager. He can be contacted at jmauro@cityofpt.us or met in person at his weekly open coffee meetings, this month at Sunrise Coffee, on Friday mornings at 9 a.m.)