A message from Mayor Jason Pu
Dear San Gabriel Community,
This has been a difficult week for all of us and we know that the worst is yet to come. I want to reach out to all who are feeling anxious, afraid, bewildered, uncertain and even angry. I share those feelings. too. We all do. But now is not the time to let those emotions overwhelm us. Now is the time to hunker down, to focus, to re-double our efforts and to show our strength. Now is a critical time to minimize our social contacts to minimize the spread and to minimize the severity of this outbreak.
Under an order from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, we must all do our part and take social distancing to the next phase, a phase that we are calling "Safer at Home." You can view the full order here. Under this order, businesses can remain open only for Minimum Basic Operations and for those who are able to work from home. Essential Activities such as going out to get groceries, supplies or medical care; or to go for a walk, hike or a run; to care for others or pets or to provide any of these Essential Activities for others will continue. In addition, all Essential Businesses (including Healthcare Operations) and Essential Governmental Functions will continue. At all times, social distancing of 6 feet should be maintained, even when performing these activities. Please see the full order here for detailed definitions of each of these terms and this FAQ for some general clarifications.
I assure you that we are all in this together and we will get through this together. Ironically, we must live up to our social responsibility by practicing social distancing. However, I also want to emphasize that social distancing does not need to mean social isolation. Feel free to reach out to your friends and family via phone or internet. Check in with each other and show support to those you love. In difficult times like this, a text, a call, a video, a DM or an offer to help an elderly neighbor might be all it takes to brighten someone’s day. In fact, we have seen many, many examples of kindness towards neighbors and offers to help get food, medicine or supplies for those who cannot go out on their own throughout our community. We encourage you to share those stories with us so we can re-post them and celebrate our local heroes.
I also assure you that our supply chains and infrastructure are strong and we are not concerned about a shortage of food or clean drinking water. Stores will be re-stocked and our water supply is not in jeopardy. Panic-buying and hoarding only makes a bad situation worse, creates more tension and unnecessary shortages and can lead to price gouging by the unscrupulous. One or two weeks supply of food and supplies is all you need at any given time. Please remember, everyone will be able to go out to get groceries or other necessities at any time.
I want to warn everyone to be wary about scams. Scams via phone, scams via the internet and even scams via door-to-door knocking have been proliferating. Please ignore the scams and take guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website here. It is also an excellent resource to stay updated on the latest and most accurate information and guidance for LA County.
Finally, I want to especially thank our health care workers and our first responders - our doctors, our nurses, our police officers, our firefighers and all those who are on the front lines of this battle, risking their own health to keep the rest of us healthy and safe. They are also our local heroes and be sure to thank them when you can.
Every level of government is working hard to minimize the impacts of this COVID-19 outbreak and I want to thank you all for your calm, cooperation and patience in this fight for the common good. It is, no doubt, a difficult time but it is only temporary and the calmer we are and the more we cooperate with social distancing, the easier it will be. Please remember, everyone, we are all Safer At Home!
Best regards,
Mayor Jason Pu
Important links: