August 25th, 2020

or in other words “We got this, give me something we can’t handle”.
We choose to live in the Sierras for its beauty, serenity, wildlife and space around us. We also know that this comes with an increased need to prepare for so many possible events that come our way as the seasons change:
o Duringearlysummerweareusedtoworkingonourdefensiblespacearoundthehousetoprotectourselvesandour community from unthinkable forest fire and plans for evacuation if need be.
o Inlatesummerwedevelopplansforincreasedsmokeandfireaswellasthedreadedpowershutoffsthatcanmakefor very uncomfortable days and nights. Some of us have generators. others use air filters and some sit in the cool creeks and lakes.
o In fall, we prepare for whatever winter might come our way. Chopping and stacking wood for every day heating, or, for those times when the power is off and we have to heat our house with just the fireplace.
o Inwinterwemakesureoursnowshovelsareinplace,thesnowblowersorplowsarereadytomaketransportation feasible. We have plans for the snow days for the children. Teachers make study packets. When snowstorms are particularly heavy with no ability to move, we are ready with our pantries stocked for the long days of isolation.
As a community, we do not even have to tell each other the following because we just know that:

• We are not alone. Fires happen all the time. Smoke is present most late summer and fall. We know that everyone else is experiencing the same smoke filled valleys. We help our neighbors cut back the overgrowth for defensible space. We know that we all have to shovel the snow. We help dig each other out.
  
• We bring soups and other warm blankets to the vulnerable. We house people when they can’t be in their homes due to fire or snow dangers.
  
• We have pulled together; neighbors, businesses, local government, working together for a common goal. To help each other get through this!
  
• We have grit and knowledge. We are mostly self-sufficient but have each other for those times we just need a bit more. When we have to evacuate quickly people come together to get it done. We got this!
  On top of all the preparation that we already take for granted in order to live in this amazing area, we have come to realize that the illness caused by the Coronavirus-SARS COv-2 needs to be approached in much the same way. We are in this for the long haul and need to adjust and prepare as much as possible with defensible physical space, medical preparation, and family prevention. Much like the surprise that one has a chronic condition that requires some adjustment to the everyday life (like when a loved one learns they have diabetes and diet needs to adjust) this pandemic has shown us that we must summon up a different type of energy. Unlike the fight or flight response, we need to look at our reserves, our current resources for strength and what is needed to keep forging ahead. Not only do we have a pandemic in which the entire world is trying to learn and deal with a brand new disease, we have to struggle with job loss, school disruption, forest fires and the like. We can take comfort in the following:
  
  •   You are not alone. Each and every person in the country has been impacted and probably asking the question ”When will this ever stop?” or “Ok, I’m tired of this nonsense!” or “Why can’t they find a way to fix this situation?”
    
  •   Despite the fact that this is a brand new disease with no known perfect treatments, we now know of ways to protect ourselves to reduce the risk.
    
  •   We have pulled together; neighbors, businesses, local government, working together for a common goal. To help each other get through this!
    
  •   We have kept the virus activity low in our County. That is a huge safety wall for all those that are at high risk of serious illness or death due to their underlying health conditions.
    The financial impact is both an individual loss and collective loss to the community. However, we have seen what a desired destination this is! We encourage you to h ave the long haul outlook, have confidence and plan for better days.
    Dr. Celia Sutton-Pado Sierra County Health Officer