Distance learning to continue to May 1; schools may reopen May 4
Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) on Wednesday recommended that Sonoma County school districts plan to continue distance learning through at least May 1. This guidance was based on consultation with the Sonoma County Health Officer and was made in consultation with the county superintendents in Napa, Marin, and Solano counties. These counties will also be advising schools to plan for in-person classes to be canceled through May 1.
Local senior centers roll out programs to help seniors during COVID-19
Local senior centers are stepping up and rolling out several different programs to help ensure that seniors are getting access to fresh food, prescriptions and other necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated statewide shelter-in-place mandate.
Coping with anxiety and stress during COVID-19
With the recent shelter-in place orders from county and state officials, and the rise in cases of COVID-19 throughout the state, regular everyday life has changed substantially and that can be challenging and stressful for many people.
Neighborhood preparedness groups are trying to find their role in COVID-19 response
Local community groups tend to highlight how they’re preparing for the emergencies that are more frequent in Sonoma County — namely, fires and floods. However, struck with a different kind of emergency with COVID-19, the county’s local Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies (COPE) and Map Your Neighborhood groups, as well as Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), are leaning into the core of their preparedness measures and training.
HUSD continuing distance learning through May 1
The Healdsburg Unified School District (HUSD) announced Wednesday afternoon, March 25, that it would be suspending in-person classes through May 1.
Love in the time of coronavirus
April Karr and Dack Thompson got married on Saturday, March 21, on the backyard deck of her parent’s home in Sebastopol with a host of friends and family in attendance via the magic of the meeting technology known as Zoom. It was Sebastopol’s first Zoom wedding, though probably, in the time of coronavirus, not its last.
Signs of the Times
LOVE IS GREATER THAN FEAR — You might have noticed encouraging signs popping up around Sebastopol: “Love is also contagious” and “6 feet between us is no match for the love among us.” You can see the signs outside of Papas y Pollos, in the town square, at Highway 12 and Morris Street, across the street from Screamin’ Mimi’s ice cream (above) and decorating the home of sign maker Margaret Howe. Other sign makers include Maya Pace, Ann Hamilton, Bryan Huggins and Kenna Lee. “We wanted to make a loving connection with our community and emit soothing energy amidst the fear,” said Howe. “Also to help people smile.”
Governments close parks and beaches
In an effort to encourage people to stay at home, the Sonoma County Department of Health Services announced on Monday, March 23, that it would be closing all parks in the county effective March 24. The order stating the closure of local parks comes on the heels of a weekend where parks across Sonoma County were full to the brim with people enjoying the outdoors — some of whom weren’t abiding by the county’s social distancing protocol.
Sebastopol senior center checks in
Local senior centers are stepping up and rolling out several different programs to help ensure that seniors are getting access to fresh food, prescriptions and other necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated statewide shelter-in-place mandate.
