18 — THE CHRONICLE
community
Health Hub closed, still helping ‘be its best’
OUR
St ries
Chronicle columnist Dana Merryday
captures the people and times of Cottage
Grove during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ing the virus advisories from ORLA and
Isis, 6, and Sophia, 4.
Social distancing
tough, and working
They have scaled back staffing,
fied in Lane County, Clark is cross
ing his fingers, concerned that things
“We’re fine right now, but things are
Lodging Association (ORLA), a
going to find groceries.
They came and were relieved to find we
it h t he st ay-
at-home order
enacted, I am
keeping close to home and
really trying to observe the
precautions set for the greater
good. We are going through
all the things in our pantry,
including the emergency dry
beans and rice. Only dare
to dash out for true necessi-
ties. And then with a whole
procedure of changing on the
porch, mask, gloves, followed
by a reverse decontamination
on the return.
Going about in all the
get-up makes you feel self-
conscious and a little unsure
of how to react when you see
a neighbor or even someone
that you don’t know coming
down the sidewalk right at
you. The isolation makes
you eager for social contact
but there is also the need for
reserve.
With so far thankfully
low numbers of cases in our
area, it is tempting to say
“Oh it’s being blown up, or
W
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020
COTTAGE GROVE
Layla,” Clark’s 4-year-old daughter.
is fake.” Instead, it is fortu-
nate that people are follow-
ing the guidelines and that
is slowing the spread of the
Coronavirus. State health
officials on Wednesday
reported that Oregonians
appear to be reducing the
transmission of the novel
coronavirus between 50%
and 70%, the fi rst positive
sign that social distancing is
helping in Oregon.
“It appears that stay-
ing home to save lives
is working,” said Dean
Sidelinger, Oregon’s State
Epidemiologist.
It also gives us some
breathing room as we work
out our procedures of keep-
ing our exposures down. We
can afford to make some
mistakes now while the
chances for contracting the
virus are lower.
W hat t o work on?
Neighbors are sharing what
they are doing as we safely
keep our distance. Rigorous
hand washing, limiting virus
midst of the Coronavirus pandemic it is diffi
loads by avoiding going out,
and if you do, using a mask.
Developing a clean system
for changing the clothing that
you went out in. That might
include a strip off at the door,
mask last, having the washer
ready and putting the dirty
stuff straight into the washer.
With the cool weather it is
possible to leave food outside
in the trunk or back of your
vehicle to decontaminate for
several days. Packaged items
can be sprayed down with a
bleach solution or washed
thoroughly. Some stores
aren’t letting you bring your
own bags so keep that in
mind.
Vigilance will keep us safe,
but we are only as strong as
the weakest link, so practice
and keep reading the guide-
lines. Share your procedures
with your friends and neigh-
bors safely and stay healthy
and safe.
amantha Duncan, local fi tness instructor and owner of The Health
Hub, has been exploring ways of keeping people healthy, fi t and fed.
While she has had to temporarily shutter her gym facility on Main
Street, “I have had to shift gears to fi nd ways to deliver content to folks
who have used the Health Hub, while we can’t hold classes, to keep them
moving and fi t,” She said. She has been posting videos up on Youtube:
Samantha Duncan and playing with Zoom. Yoga instructor Marcia Hudgel
has also posted some yoga routines on Youtube:Marcia Hudgel Yoga.
“Since I have had to close the workout facility for the safety of clients
and instructors, I have been focusing on working with the ‘Be your Best,
Cottage Grove’ slogan,” Duncan said. “We have been helping share Duncan
resources and information with people who are suffering due to the shut-
down.” Health Hub is working with Community Sharing, and the South Lane School District’s
grab and go bag lunches to make sure everyone is being fed during the crisis.
“Right now the Health Hub is being used as a place to store donations getting ready for
distribution,” Duncan shared. “I hope we will be able to reopen the Health Hub when the
situation levels out, but we don’t know when that will be and there are so many unknowns. I
just hope that we are all going to come through this and help each other as we share what we
can with those who are in need.”
– Dana Merryday
S
Legion struggles without fellowship, funds
Calvin Funk American Legion Post #32 Commander Steven Wesolowski canceled all
meetings on March 17, including the popular Friday bingo nights at the Legion Hall and the
spaghetti dinners.
While safety of its members and the public made this a no-brainer of a decision, the loss
of fellowship and income is troubling to members of the Legion.
“We are taking some time now doing some painting and cleaning in the Legion Hall,”
Wesolowski said. “We will also be working on the fl oors. It is a little tough not having funds
coming in due to not being able to do our regular activities, but we are going to get through
it. It will be really nice for the people when we are able to open again to come into a fresh
looking space.”
I am sure that the regulars for bingo are missing their usual Friday evening outing. It is quite
a spirited crowd that has been gathering at the Hall for some good, clean fun and helping to
support all the good works the American Legion does here in Cottage Grove, from veteran
support to the cub and scouting programs.
— Dana Merryday
Contact Dana at dana_
merryday@yahoo.com.
All quiet at the Grange
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With all activities, meetings and events canceled until further notice, not a
creature stirs as Lowell Grange sits vacant on its corner, Saturday afternoon.
ERIN TIERNEY/THE CHRONICLE
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