COVID-19 Update

Hi Everyone.

The Mayor issued this statement about voting this morning.

The pandemic is disruptive enough, but we owe it to ourselves not to let it disrupt our civic duty to vote.  Voting early or by absentee are ways of limiting exposure, both for yourselves and for poll workers, but the details are specific to each, so please take a moment to be informed.

Local grocery stores are taking steps to offer early hours for seniors, 60 years and older.  I know of two at this point, Whole Foods and Hy-Vee.  Whole Foods early hours are from 8 am to 9 am, and Hy-Vee from 7 am to 8 am.  Check yourself first that you do not have a temperature, please, before going out. And don't forget to wash your hands diligently and maintain safe distance from your fellow humans. 

To that end, I encourage you to ask for help. If you are in any way at risk, please let someone shop for you. If you don't know whom to ask, ask me, and I''ll make arrangements for you to get what you need. 

Many of you are working from home. This is an incredible adjustment, and the impact of the crisis makes it very hard to focus on work. Fear and anxiety make it hard to sleep, much less focus on anything productive. Here are 23 Essential Tips for Working Remotely.  Here is an additonal link about how to be more effective while working from home. If you are retired, laid off, taking time off and otherwise not working from home per se, stay in touch with your fellow humans.  Family, friends, loved ones, neighbors, are all so essential to counter the effects of isolation.

Turn off the TV. Take a break from the news. Read a book. Journal. Write poetry. Listen to music. Make music. Call a friend.  Be kind to yourself and to others.

Lastly, someone shared this with me on Facebook:

Viruses are contagious. So are laughter, love, joy, tranquility, anxiety, patience, fear, trust, mindfulness, anger, gratitude, wisdom, hatred & kindness. Every day we cultivate a wide range of thoughts and emotions that we transmit to others. Everything we say and do matters, has a potential butterfly effect. Share wisely.

Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions -- email me at district13@cityofmadison.com.

Be well. Be Safe. Be Strong. 

Tag

P.S. Gift cards for restaurants and local retail are great ways of helping out!