It’s been roughly one week since the City of Modesto started taking drastic steps to ensure we do our part to slow the spread of coronavirus, but it’s been since January when it was found in China that our team of emergency personnel truly started to review how this pandemic could affect our community.  We’ve been pouring over our emergency plans for months and have been working closely with the Emergency Operations Center staffed by the County, the Health Officer, and other important partners.  Around the clock, your local government is working hard to ensure the safety and health of its constituents, but also to ensure we get out as much information as possible.  

Here’s what we know

• As of this writing, there are nine (9) confirmed cases of coronavirus in Stanislaus County. 
• The Governor has issued a Shelter-in-Place Order for the entire state, calling for all Californians to stay home unless making essential trips.
• Most City buildings and facilities are closed to public access, and most meetings and activities have been cancelled or postponed.  
• All City services to your home continue as normal, and should you need to conduct business with City Hall – for business license, permitting, or for questions about your utility bill – check out our COVID-19 page or call (209) 577-5200.
• There are simple things you can do to help keep yourself and others healthy.  Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.  Stay home when you are sick.  Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• You can help stop COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms: Fever; Cough; Shortness of breath.  Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms AND have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms. 
• For most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low.  Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.

We also know, from experts and examples around the globe, that the number of cases will increase – in this county and around the world – and that we can expect to be dealing with this disease for many weeks and potentially even months.  

Do your part

It’s important to remember that although this virus is new and many of us have not dealt with this type of crisis before, it’s clear that each of us play a role in slowing the spread.  

• Stay home if you are able and avoid in-person contact with others.
• Avoid gatherings and events, and maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet from others.
• Know the COVID-19 symptoms, and seek treatment if:
  • you have difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
  • you feel like symptoms (such as fever and cough) are getting worse rapidly
  • you are unable to care for symptoms at home
• Get tested through your local healthcare provider if you experience these symptoms

Stay connected

The City leadership team and Mayor Brandvold continues to meet daily for long stretches as we navigate the ever-changing COVID-19 environment in which we’re living.  I acknowledge there may be a bit of uncertainty over two announcements that came out yesterday, one from our City Council and the other from our Governor.  

First, the City Council held a special meeting and voted in favor of adopting a proclamation of existence of a local emergency in response to the Coronavirus.  I previously signed this declaration under my authority as the City’s Director of Emergency Services, and this action by the council was necessary for ratification.  As part of this proclamation, the council called for residents to stay at home if they are able, and to limit non-essential trips to public spaces.

Also, later in the evening, the Governor announced his own Executive Order mandating California residents “stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors.”  As local government is considered one of these infrastructures, we will continue to operate and serve our public to the best of our ability.

Perhaps the Governor’s messages yesterday and over the last week or so has left you feeling concerned and even disconnected.  I can assure you the leadership team, Mayor, and council are here to support you and to urge you to keep going.  We’re in this together, and we will get through this.

For more information about what a Stay-at-Home order means, please visit the Governor's special COVID-19 page on this topic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing us all to make new and important decisions that affect our families, our jobs, and our way of life.  The President of the United States, the Governor, and our own school superintendents are making announcements that will change how we operate over the next few weeks; and the internet is sending even more messages our way at a pace that is understandably causing a feeling of uncertainty and concern.  

I can identify with that sense of insecurity.  At home, my wife and I are dealing with many of the same child-care and health questions you may have, and at work, our leadership team and I are grappling with questions of how to sustain providing essential services to our community during these unprecedented times.  

Above all health and safety remains our number one priority.  We've made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone most public meetings in town for the next few weeks, and we encourage all members of the community who would normally visit City Hall in person to first call (209) 577-5200.    

We have Emergency Operations Plan for times such as this, and we have capable leadership making difficult decisions with the well-being of our employees and residents in mind.  As I have stated before, we are a resilient City, and by working collaboratively, we can get through this together.

Thank you for your trust and perseverance. 

For up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Stanislaus County, please visit the County Health Services Agency site.