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Do black lives matter? Of course they do. But the more relevant question to those of you reading this and for everyone else who lives in Sonoma County is, “Do brown lives matter?” That’s because less than 2% of our county’s 500,000 population is...

The past three years in Sonoma County we have faced drought, floods, raging fires, a pandemic and, now, an opportunity to honestly confront racism, in our country, in our community, in our own hearts.

From the onset of the pandemic in Sonoma County, our nurses, physician partners and staff have stepped up in heroic ways to meet the challenges of COVID-19. As outbreaks have occurred across the country, Healdsburg District Hospital has dedicated numerous resources to prepare for the virus’ impact here in our community. The district board could not be more proud of our entire team for their commitment to their patients during this uncertain and stressful time. The preparation and management of the pandemic has unfortunately created an extraordinary financial strain on the district hospital, which we are working vigorously to address. As the district board, we stand in solidarity with our team members who are making valiant efforts to save our community members, and have made sacrifices to help save our hospital.

The past three years in Sonoma County we have faced drought, floods, raging fires, a pandemic and, now, an opportunity to honestly confront racism, in our country, in our community, in our own hearts.

I am sure we are all tired of this “’rona” stuff, the isolation, the scarcity of grocery products, now the mask wearing. We all know about hand-washing, social distancing and have become experts at disinfecting. I am also sure we are definitely tired of all the information and misinformation permeating every aspect of our lives. No one needs to read more about any of that.

To many of us, especially to those now marching in our streets in protest over police brutality, this feels like a moment of inflection, when our community and entire nation makes a decisive change of direction and policy. These are very rare and hard-won...

I am sure we are all tired of this “’rona” stuff, the isolation, the scarcity of grocery products, now the mask wearing. We all know about hand-washing, social distancing and have become experts at disinfecting. I am also sure we are definitely tired of all the information and misinformation permeating every aspect of our lives. No one needs to read more about any of that.

Though it was only a few months ago, it seems like a lifetime since the city council developed their five-year strategic plan. It was a plan based upon a reality which is no longer relevant, thanks to COVID-19. Epidemiologists suggest that an effective vaccination for COVID-19 will not be available before 2021. Economists, in turn, suggest that the national and international economies will be in a recessionary status throughout this period and beyond. Until we move through this coming period of economic and social uncertainty, we will be subject to outbreaks, spikes and continued disruption to our economy. Some businesses may never reopen and others may go through several cycles of open/close/re-open, dampening tourism. The possibility of another major fire this season is high with the consequent damage to the Healdsburg economy. The confluence of these factors will continue to have a negative impact on the two main sources of city revenues: the Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) and sales tax.

The ultimate manifestation of inequity is that, in the worst of times, the vulnerable suffer the most.

The ultimate manifestation of inequity is that, in the worst of times, the vulnerable suffer the most.