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I love nautical charts.\u00a0 They give me a sense of confidence, imply adventure, and are packed with information describing the environment both above and below the water.\u00a0 Wrecks, rocks, currents, tides, harbors, channels \u2013 even magnetic deviation \u2013 it is all there to help a sailor get safely from one port to another.\u00a0\u00a0 I even have some as artwork!<\/p>\n
As I boat on the Sound (with both charts AND GPS), I often think about what it would be like to sail in uncharted waters.\u00a0 To have been with the first native people or early explorers venturing into and around the Salish Sea for the first time. How do you proceed into waters that are unknown and uncertain?<\/p>\n
I think all of us can relate much more closely these days with those early mariners.\u00a0 As we navigate through our COVID-19 world we are in uncharted waters.\u00a0 We know a lot about the virus: the vast majority will either not become infected or will recover at home; our children are very resistant; and our seniors with compromised health conditions are at the greatest risk.\u00a0 However, there is much uncertainty and much we don\u2019t know.\u00a0 It is impacting how and where many of us are doing our work, as well as our home lives.<\/p>\n
As I talk with our colleagues throughout the county, the themes are the same.\u00a0 Everyone\u2019s work has changed in some way.\u00a0 Our wastewater treatment plant is absolutely essential to the health of our community and environment.\u00a0 Keeping those operators healthy during this crisis is critical \u2013 and they are taking the appropriate precautions \u2013 although they assure me they have always been diligent in washing their hands!<\/p>\n
I stopped by HR and talked with a small subset of folks that were working in the office.\u00a0 Some had come in to do things that could only be done from there \u2013 like printing letters.\u00a0 Tele-working has brought challenges for many of our folks \u2013 remotely accessing to the network, learning to Zoom Conference, sending e-faxes, remembering to unmute when talking on a conference call.<\/p>\n
Our Economic Development team has shifted to economic stabilizing and recovery! \u00a0\u00a0At the Central Maintenance Facility, they have split up shifts to safeguard our Roads crews and are using pool cars to reduce the number of people in a truck cab.<\/p>\n
Additionally, we are helping our families deal with the uncertainty and disruption.\u00a0\u00a0 I have talked with a colleague who goes home after a stressful day at work to a house where his wife has suddenly found herself \u201chomeschooling\u201d their five children on Chromebooks.\u00a0 Many of us have loved ones that have compromised health that could make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.\u00a0 I have two nieces and a nephew who have recently been laid off.\u00a0 Some are using Instacart to order food to be delivered to their elderly parents.<\/p>\n
We are all facing real uncertainty and real stresses.<\/p>\n
So, what do we do?\u00a0 We make sure we are taking care of ourselves (taking all the appropriate social distancing precautions, washing our hands, disinfecting our workplaces), so we can be able to take care of our families AND our community.<\/p>\n
We are in a very dynamic time.\u00a0 Our teams are working to quickly adapt our work practices and HR polices to this new world. We understand that this is a very stressful time for everyone \u2013 and we all need to extend an extra measure of grace to one another.<\/p>\n
I am particularly thankful that, with the leadership of our Finance team and our Council, our reserves are strong enough to ensure we will be there for our community when they need us during this crisis.<\/p>\n
So, how did those early mariners confront the uncertainty of navigating uncharted waters?\u00a0 They had confidence in both their ship and in their crew.<\/p>\n
As we confront COVID-19 and beyond, I have full confidence in Pierce County and our crew!<\/p>\n
Stay safe,<\/p>\n
![\"Bruce\"](\"https:\/\/blog.piercecountywa.gov\/executive\/files\/2017\/01\/Bruce-blue-signature.png\")
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Bruce<\/p>\n
P.S.\u00a0 I wanted share two examples of how people are adapting to the COVID-19 world.<\/p>\n
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