The Mayor’s Corner 05/06/2020

First step accomplished

We have been extremely fortunate during this pandemic. As of Monday morning, there have been 100 tests given locally. Of those, 99 results have come back, still with only 1 of those being positive. You have done what needed to be done to prevent the spread of the nasty, ugly, pernicious covid-19 virus. You are to be commended!
Still, I have one huge concern. All of us are anxious for life to get back to normal. We want to have the contact with others that we all enjoy and makes life worthwhile. However, that nasty bug is still out there, lurking, waiting, hoping for the opportunity to take advantage of contact to pounce and spread itself around to do its ugly deeds. This is especially true with the influx of visitors we have from outside of the area where the virus has more prominence. All of the information points to this virus continuing to be among us for the foreseeable future. Until a vaccine is developed, it will continue to be a deadly threat to you and your loved ones.
What we need to do, rather than going back to “normal”, is to continue to use the new habits we have developed over the last several weeks. What we have been doing works. Remember, the only thing that has changed is that we have accomplished the first goal in dealing with this virus, flattening the curve. So, we need to continue to:
1. Maintain your distance.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Limit the trips to the store.
4. Wear a mask when appropriate.
5. Touch as few surfaces as possible when out and about.

You have accomplished the hardest part of conquering this virus. Now, we just need to persist in doing what we have already shown we can do in order to complete the task.

Cathy and I have been able to visit with our kids and grandkids. We just visit outside in the yard and maintain our distance. When the kids come inside to use the bathroom, surfaces are wiped down and sterilized. It is not as much fun as hugging and playing with them, but it beats not seeing them at all.

In city news, I was amazed and pleased at the impromptu response to the drive-by parade to the four Weiser care-centers last Friday. What was supposed to be a small drive-by show of affection for residents from their families, turned into an hour-long parade of decorated cars. There were over 100 vehicles involved. The residents and their families were very appreciative. The people of this town are great!

In other news, on Thursday May 7, the power will be down to residents on W. Galloway west of W. 9th St. Idaho Power will be doing some work on their lines from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. which will require these lines to be shut down during this time.

In a few weeks, sewer lines on E. 4th St. north of Hawthorn will be upgraded as well as two blocks of water main on Liberty between State St. and E. 2nd St. This is part of the upgrade program to replace aging infrastructure. Kudos to those who have had the foresight to structure the city’s finances to replace this infrastructure, some of which is over 100 years old. It is nice to have the resources to do this on a planned vs. emergency basis.

Well that’s it for this week. Enjoy yourselves, but be careful out there.