It’s the last day of March, and what a month it has been!  We’re so proud of our community for the ways we are supporting each other through this unusual time. Today, our updates for you include places to find reliable news, a fun way to support local restaurants, national news coverage of the Petaluma Fire Department, a new format for City Council meetings, and more. As we keep you updated on daily information about the Covid-19 emergency, rest assured, City staff continue to provide essential services to our community. We’ll see you in April!

WELCOME TO THE NEW VIRTUAL REC CENTER!

Exciting news!  The creative folks of Petaluma Parks and Recreation are not letting Shelter-in-Place get in the way of a good time.  We’re excited to introduce the launch of our new virtual Rec Center!

At the new virtual center, you will find fun, creative, and educational content to help get your family through these tough times.  CLICK HERE to check it out today and explore indoor activities, outdoor adventures, resources for active adults, and more!

TOWN HALL IS TONIGHT!

Tonight’s the night!  County Supervisors and leaders from Health Services and Emergency Management will update the community and answer questions during a special livestream from 7 PM – 8 PM.  The broadcast will also be available in Spanish.  CLICK HERE to tune in!

PETALUMA FIRE DEPARTMENT FEATURED ON NBC

Our very own Fire Batallion Chief Chad Costa and team were featured on an NBC news story!  In the piece, Chief Cost shares changes that have been made to protocols in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as concerns about essential equipment and the importance of adhering to shelter in place guidelines.

Check it out and see if you spot any familiar faces!

TRUSTED NEWS SOURCES

Each day, we round up relevant information we think will be of interest to you, our fellow Petalumans.  However, the news never sleeps!  For the most up-to-date information, we recommend the following trusted sources:

• SoCoEmergency – here you’ll find all the latest information from the County of Sonoma on the coronavirus outbreak, safety measures being taken, resources, and more.
  • https://socoemergency.org/
• The Governor’s Website – At the official site of the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom you’ll find the most current news, press releases, announcements, and a special section dedicated to COVID-19 updates.
  • https://www.gov.ca.gov/

PLEASE KEEP STAYING INSIDE!

We’re proud to report that the vast majority of people in our community have been adhering to Shelter-in-Place restrictions and social distancing guidelines.  These are hugely important actions to take and we are grateful to those of you who are doing so.  A sincere thank you from all of us here at the City of Petaluma!

We understand, as time goes by and the sun begins to shine, staying indoors becomes a bit more challenging – but we’d like to encourage you to continue your efforts.  Time and again, health officials are advising that social distancing is key to saving us from a dire future in regard to the spread of the virus.  So, please, STAY HOME!

Note:  Social distancing does not have to mean the end of your social life!  From videoconferencing to social media to podcasts to livestreams – these days there are seemingly endless ways to stay connected.  We encourage you to get creative and find new ways to enjoy time with friends and family.

THE GREAT AMERICAN TAKEOUT

COVID-19 has taken a toll on the beloved restaurants of our community.  Show your support by joining #TheGreatAmericanTakeout today, Tuesday March 31!  Simply enjoy one meal today from your favorite restaurant through delivery or pick-up and tell your friends!

Here are a couple of easy ways to show your support for this great industry that gives jobs (and they joy of a good meal) to so many:

• Post a photo or video of your meal to social media and encourage your followers to participate using #thegreatamericantakeout.
• Repeat – The Great American Takeout is only the beginning. Keep supporting our restaurants by ordering takeout or delivery as often as you can.  It’s a fun treat after the long days at home!

TIPS FOR STAYING MENTALLY HEALTHY

Most of us aren’t used to spending as much time at home as we have been lately.  That, coupled with all the COVID-19 news coverage, makes it easy to feel a little restless and not quite like yourself.  Below are some tips from the County of Sonoma on ways to stay mentally healthy during this unusual time:

• Limit your exposure to news and social media to a few times per day.
• Focus on controlling what you can control.
• Get plenty of rest.

Yesterday, we shared a link to another resource from the County of Sonoma on healthy ways for adults and children to deal with stress.  CLICK HERE to check it out again.

CITY COUNCIL GOES ONLINE!

Join us April 6, 2020 for our very first online City Council meeting!  We are so happy to offer you a way to participate in our civic activities from the safety of your homes.  Please keep checking these Daily Update emails for more details.