COVID-19 Update - More closings

Hi Everybody.

Things are changing, seemingly by the hour.  The Monroe Street Library closed today.  The Neighborhood House on S. Mills in Greenbush also closed. Banks are shutting down their lobbies, with business limited to drive-through. Restaurants had their capacities reduced by 50%, though many are shifting to carry out and delivery service only.

More closings will be announced, more shut downs are likely forthcoming.

Common Council will meet in person tomorrow, but I expect afterwards we will make the shift toward virtual meetings. We'll be debating and voting on changes for the City's many committees, deciding which meetings will be canceled and under what authority, with the focus on maintaining essential services.

Neighborhood meetings as we've known them in the past will not be taking place under the public health emergency. Hundreds of you in Bay Creek recently received a post card regarding the March 30th meeting about the VFW redevelopment. That meeting will not take place as previously scheduled, at least not in person. We are exploring the possibility of live-streaming the presentation and allowing for questions, concerns and comments to be posted. Stand by for more information.

It's clear to everyone now that this is a marathon, not a sprint. This is something we all are trying to adjust to.

Then there's the FEAR, the mounting anxiety and dread, whether you're in an at-risk category and worried about catching the virus or whether your fear is you might transmit it to someone you love.

And that fear can be debiliating, robbing us of sleep and paralyzing us.

In the midst of all this, how do we find courage, what Pema Chodron calls "tender-hearted bravery," the resilience and grit sufficient for these troubled times?

For starters, we look after each other.

I believe with all my heart that love is stronger than fear. That we are best when we lean into our fears and instead of shutting down, we open up and make ourselves vulnerable. Not denying our fears, but sharing them, realizing we're not alone. It's here that we can connect with each other and help each other get through this.

Relief from our fears often comes when we move forward. Fear gets us stuck, and getting unstuck often means reaching out. Let's continue to look for ways to help out our neighbors.

And don't forget to go out for a walk, breathe in the fresh air, get a healthy dose of Vitamin D on the next sunny day.

I'm sure you've thought of this, but now's a good time to order takeout from a local restauarant that could use the business. 

Laughter is a wonderful antidote to worry and fear. Norman Cousins years ago wrote in his book, Anatomy of an Illness, "Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors."

I love the old quote, "Courage is fear that has said its prayers." Substitute mantra or meditation, if you wish, but just know that we are all in the same boat. If anything, the virus can make us more empathetic, more full of compassion for the refugee, the homeless, the addict, the prisoner, the mentally ill, the frightened and the lonely, for those who have lost their way. 

The etymology of the word compassion is "to suffer with another." As we suffer this crisis together, may our compassion for each other, particularly the weakest and most vulnerable in our midst, increase. 

We will get through this.

Be well. Be safe. Be strong.

Tag

P.S. If you have a question or suggestion, please reach out to me at district13@cityofmadison.com.