“We have agency. We can change the future.” Life Under Coronavirus.

Share with Friends

“We have agency. We can change the future,” Governor Gavin Newsom said Thursday, urging Californians to fundamentally alter their behavior in order to halt the virus’ spread.

“It is the sum total of our individual decisions that will determine the fate of this virus … I have confidence we’ll meet the moment.”

With those words, California Governor Gavin Newsom reflected a rapidly changing reality for Californians, and people across the nation. All across Sonoma County and the North Bay, rapidly evolving preparations by government, business, education and the general public reflected the severity, and urgency of the threat posed by the coronavirus.

Schools were being shuttered nationwide, businesses were advising work from home, travel was being curtailed, events were being canceled, and the normal rhythms of everyday life were changing, at least for the time being.

This will be the new reality for the next several weeks at least. The World Health Organization and the federal Centers for Disease Control have been tracking the virus spread across the globe. And while much is not known, what is certain is that the most effective means of heading off the worst consequences, is for communities to take this threat very seriously, to be proactive.

That means social distancing, canceling large events, curtailing unnecessary travel, self-isolating if you have any symptoms or have been exposed, and always, practicing good hygiene. That means wearing a mask in public or around others at home if you have symptoms, covering your sneeze or cough with a tissue or paper towel and throwing it in the trash, washing your hands frequently and well, using hand sanitizer and alcohol based solutions to clean surfaces, and staying home and calling your doctor if you feel sick, or have been exposed.

This graphic, prepared by the CDC, illustrates how preparation and proactive steps can help contain the spread of coronavirus. With proactive steps, the best scientific evidence says the number of cases is far less, and the peak arrives later, than without taking community action.

For now, the availability of tests will be limited to the most vunerable, or those with severe symptoms. But that is quickly changing, and with the ramp up of commercial labs, doctors across California and the nation have increased ability to test anyone they deem requires coronavirus screening.

But for now, it is important to not overburden healthcare facilities unless you are in the vunerable groups, or experiencing severe symptoms. Stay at home if you have mild symptoms, and keep your doctor and family informed. And share information and encourage your neighbors to do it as well.