(R to L) Mayor Terry Tornek and Councilmember Tyron Hampton (Photo – Jason Hardin, ⒸColoradoBlvd.net).
Two messages from the Mayor of Pasadena, Terry Tornek, and Vice Mayor, Tyron Hampton, to the community.
By News Desk
Excerpts from Mayor Terry Tornek letter to the comunity:
As many of you are aware, I am in Africa as part of a delegation to our newest Sister City Dakar-Plateau, Senegal. Nevertheless, I have been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and in frequent communication with our City Manager. In light of the situation, I am returning to Pasadena next week.
…Now more than ever we need to look out for each other and not instill panic but encourage preparedness for what you NEED to get you through a 14-day quarantine, if you’re advised to stay home.
Elderly family members and neighbors
Check on elderly family members and neighbors, as well as those with underlying health conditions. These groups are most vulnerable of serious illness from COVID-19. Older adults and adults with underlying health conditions may need help caring for themselves if their caregiver gets sick, and may even need food and other supplies brought to their homes.
Most businesses remain open
Most Pasadena businesses remain open, but many will experience negative effects of so many shutdowns. While we are encouraging social distancing, it’s important that we all support our local businesses; I urge you to shop and dine local.
I am proud of our city staff working diligently to help our community prevent, prepare for and respond to this unprecedented event. This could take weeks, if not months to resolve so we ask your patience in letting us disseminate timely and accurate information and your help in supporting one another.
Letter from Pasadena’s Vice Mayor to the community:
People love the City of Pasadena because of our community and its great hometown feel. Everybody’s connected here, everyone’s family. With the COVID-19 situation unfolding and evolving, it’s time for the family to step up for two of our most vulnerable populations — our children and our elderly residents.
Earlier today, I had a great conversation with the superintendent of schools who assured me that along with educational programs, nutritional programs will continue while campuses are closed. The City of Pasadena is also continuing it’s lunch program seniors. Being mindful of the importance of practice social distancing, the City’s lunch program has been modified and will supply boxed lunches that can be picked and taken. Good nutrition is critical. Eating a balanced diet helps our immune systems to fight off illness. Please make sure that you are getting the proper amount of food and also the proper amount of rest.
With independent, charter, LAUSD, and PUSD schools closing down temporarily to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, parents please see if your employer will let you telecommute. If you cannot telecommute so that you can stay home with your child, please try not to rely on older adult family members for childcare. I know this may be difficult because, like many people, I rely on my parents to help me with my childcare needs. Please use other means of childcare. If there are members of your family or extended family that are teenagers or college students, perhaps they can assist with childcare as they, too, are likely to be out of school. No matter who is providing childcare, please make sure that your child’s temperature is being monitored consistently.
Finally, if you have any elderly neighbors please check in on them. If you have elderly family members living in senior living facilities, limit your visits and stay in contact with them by phone. This may be a great opportunity to get them a smartphone so you can FaceTime/video chat.
We are all in this together. Now is our time to shine. Stay healthy my friends.
> A message from ColoradoBoulevard.net:
- Please don’t panic.
- Practice social distancing. It will help containing the spread of the virus and won’t overwhelm our health workers.
- Read this article about 10 Reasons Why You Ought to NOT Panic. (#3 is our favorite: “Science is on it, Globally”).
- Keep checking our live article for the latest updates.
- Stay safe, and help your neighbors: (click to read).
Hampton was my neighbor who lived across the street from me with his wife right before they got married and right after they had they’re baby girl.!! I’m cheering for him ?%.
It would have been helpful for the Mayor to actually be in town during this crisis.
Tornek was always scheduled to come back this week.