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Editor's Note: A Sobering, Personal Reminder of Why We're All Taking These Extremely Difficult Precautions

5/20/2020

19 Comments

 
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[UPDATE 5.28.20]: Our whole family tested negative last Friday. If we all do so again May 29, we will be in the clear. No more isolation from each other – back to regular quarantining!

To one degree or another, we've all been in some form of crisis mode for months now. We long for a return to some degree of normalcy.

For me, that crisis mode has dictated incredibly long hours doing two of the things I love: communicating and problem solving.

The former has meant navigating a bewilderingly fluid flow of information from governments at all levels – a combination of drinking out of a firehose and playing whack-a-mole –  and distilling it for our community of local business owners and our larger 94941 community on this blog and the Mill Valley Chamber's various other digital and social channels. The problem solving – helping business owners plan ahead for a return to normalcy amidst uncertainty – has been a rewarding challenge that I hope will yield some exciting concepts once we get the green light to move into the latter stages of phase 2 of the recovery.

It's been hard work for the good of the community. It's my job. All good, as those who know me have heard me say a million times.

Then my wife was diagnosed with coronavirus late last week, and all of a sudden, an ominous public health crisis and subsequent economic disaster became deeply personal. Her symptoms are relatively mild – sore throat, chills, achy, more tired than usual – and she's in good spirits. I moved into our daughter's room, my wife stays in ours most of the day, wears a mask when she's in the same room as us. I deliver her meals to the door and usually make a bad joke (there may have been a Bubble Boy reference once or twice). It's a weird, absolutely necessary setup, and it's (hopefully) only two weeks.

It's all been a sobering reminder of why we all are doing what we are doing: the social distancing, the masks, the relentless hand washing, the all-Zoom everything. (Side note: my daughter's soccer team has been having practice via Zoom twice a week. We don't have a backyard, so she's in the garage doing drills. We spent many laughter-filled minutes yesterday trying to fish her ball out from being wedged between the dryer and the hot water heater).

My daughter and I tested negative. We'll all get tested again this Friday, per doctor's recommendation. The confusion around testing remains unsettling, with the constant reminders about false positives and false negatives.

What's the point of all this? All of us are taking all these incredibly difficult measures for a reason. As we move toward an emergence from this shelter in place, let's keep taking care of each other. This is not an academic exercise!

Oh, and I wouldn't be me if I didn't urge you to support your local Mill Valley businesses in any way you can! I can't say enough about how rough this has been for businesses in town. The forced closures during the shelter in place coupled with the massive uptick in spending via tech giants who have no vested interest in our community has made for a rough road ahead. Please do your part! Those buttons over there >>>>> are a good place to start.

Much love to you and yours. 

Cheers,

Jim Welte
MV Chamber

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19 Comments
Robin
5/21/2020 08:49:27 am

Wishing your wife well and you and your daughter continued health!

Reply
Betsey Cutler
5/21/2020 09:09:23 am

Beautifully written reminder that we all must continue to be vigilant, wishing your family a full recovery, all the best

Reply
Jen Reynolds
5/21/2020 09:11:45 am

Thanks for all you do for our community, Jim...so sorry to hear your wife is sick, hope she feels better soon, and wish you and your family good health...shop/eat local (MV)!!!

Reply
Phil Garratt
5/21/2020 09:28:14 am

Jim, you have been a pillar of knowledge and optimism since March. Mill Valley owes you personally a huge debt. When I read that your wife tested positive, chills ran through my body. I and everyone in town has everything crossable crossed for her swift recovery. Unlike many communities, Marin has done a super job on distancing and it shows in the numbers, but your news reminds us that coronabob as I call it doesn't get frustrated, bored or scared like people do and that staying vigilant in May is as critical as it was in May. You are an absolute champion. Know that we are ALL wishing the very best to your wife and you and your adorable daughter. Cheers Phil

Reply
Phyllis Evans
5/21/2020 09:38:31 am

Jim,
Thanks for sharing your personal experience and struggles and strengths. You are doing a fabulous job for the Mill Valley businesses, and as you say, now this health issue has become personal. Praying for speedy recovery for your wife, and continued good health and safety for you and your daughter. Thanks again,
Phyllis

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Ray link
5/21/2020 10:52:17 am

Jim, so sorry to hear your news, that's a sobering reminder indeed, and coming way too close to home. Best wishes to your wife for a speedy recovery, and thanks as always for everything you do!

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Alex
5/21/2020 11:28:10 am

Thank you for sharing Jim - best wishes to you and your family.

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Susie Turner link
5/21/2020 11:32:16 am

Sending get well wishes to your wife, and wishing her a speedy recovery. And thank you! Jim, for your guidance and endless assistance to Mill valley during this time (and always)...and especially the businesses of Mill Valley! - susie

Reply
trubee schock
5/21/2020 02:17:55 pm

Jim, Your note reminds all of us that anyone can get infected and affected. You are indispensable to the Chamber and our city.. Ww all wish your wife a speedy recovery. Keep yourself and your daughter well.

Trubee Schock

Reply
Ginnie & Jerry Job
5/21/2020 06:03:26 pm

SO very sorry to hear of Heidi's illness. Glad it doesn't seem severe, and hope you and your sweet little girl escape the virus! Your family has shared lots of good vibes with us personally, and with the whole town of MV, so we're ALL in your debt.
Warmly and with gratitude, Ginnie & Jerry

Reply
Wendy Partridge Crowe
5/22/2020 08:12:03 am

Jim - So sorry to hear about your wife. I hope her recovery remains uncomplicated and that you and your daughter stay healthy. Take care and thanks for all that you do!

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Michael Vogel
5/22/2020 09:46:44 am

Dear Jim, so sorry to hear of Heidi’s diagnosis. My family & I send our prayers & good vibrations out to her for a speedy recovery. You have been our town crier for so many years & have done a sterling job keeping Mill Valley informed of what’s truly happening in our little community.
We must have faith that this too shall pass. We hope it happens soon for your lovely family. Please stay safe & well.

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Sophie P
5/22/2020 09:46:51 am

Wishing your wife a speedy recovery and continued health to you and your daughter. Thank you for all you do for our town and businesses! We appreciate your positivity and creative thinking!

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Lisa Palter
5/22/2020 04:57:31 pm

I am so sorry to hear that your family is dealing with this but they are lucky to have your great sense of humor and unending optimism! You do so much for the community so I hope you know to ask any of us if you need US to do anything for YOU. Take care.

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Jan m Hiti
5/23/2020 12:34:06 pm

Thank you Jim for all you do and have done for Mill Valley, we are so grateful! Hoping your wife has a safe and easy recovery and good health for you and your daughter. Thank you for sharing.

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Louise Dockstader link
5/29/2020 07:40:15 am

Hope the tests come back negative today Jim! Thanks for you incredible advocacy for Mill Valley businesses.

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Tammy Edmonson
5/29/2020 09:46:52 am

Thanks so much for all your work to keep us informed and connected Jim! Hoping for a speedy and complete recovery for you wife, and continued health for you and your daughter.

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Sharon Gallagher-Rivera link
5/29/2020 12:27:50 pm

Jim, Wow! I am so sorry to hear that your wife/family has had to go through this. I just want to echo that you have done an outstanding job supporting us small businesses in Mill Valley, during this time and prior. I believe you are the heart of our business community and I thank you for all that you do.

Reply
Carolyn Van Wagner link
6/1/2020 12:34:43 pm

I am so sorry to hear that your wife contracted the virus. Best wishes to her for a speedy recovery and thank you for all that you do for our community. Take care.

Reply



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