City Council urges caution during holidays


There is no task more crucial during this 2020 holiday season than your help in fighting a worsening health emergency. We extend our deepest sympathy to those who have already fallen ill, lost loved ones and suffered on so many levels from this pandemic. And, with the holidays upon us, we are facing a situation that is expected to get much worse. But each of us has the ability to prevent that worst-case scenario from happening.

We are sharing this message to emphasize the true seriousness of the current COVID crisis, even as the first vaccines arrive in our community. COVID cases are continuing to spike after Thanksgiving gatherings, and our Ventura County public health officer has expressed alarm that the rate of infection may get even worse after the upcoming holidays if people do not conscientiously follow the state rules.

We urge each of you to follow the state rules and to influence others to do the same:

Please stay at home.

Please do not gather with others, especially not inside, and limit socially distanced outdoor gatherings to your “bubble.”

Please wear a clean mask anytime that you are outside of your home and anywhere near others.

Please stay 6 feet away from anyone not in your own household, except for brief periods (such as passing someone in the grocery store or on the street while wearing masks).

Wash your hands frequently.

We know it can be upsetting and stressful to follow the state rules during this already difficult 2020 holiday season. And we recognize that this COVID news is overwhelming and exhausting. But abiding by these orders will help keep you, your loved ones and your community as healthy as possible in the battle against this potentially fatal virus. It is crucial that we do all that we can to keep our collective infection rate down. We have it within our power to protect each other and our hospitals from being overwhelmed. This will enable our local economy to open back up as soon as possible. Working together, we can do this!

We wish you and your family and friends a safe and healthy holiday season, with hope for a safer and healthier new year! Mayor Charlotte Craven, Vice Mayor Shawn Mulchay and Councilmembers Susan Santangelo, Kevin Kildee and Tony Trembley Camarillo