David Casaletto, President, Ozarks Water Watch
For the last 20 years, the Table Rock Lake Shoreline Cleanup has been held on the first Saturday in April. Even when it was on Easter weekend, when there was an inch of snow on the ground, when the lake was at flood level, or when there were icicles forming on the docks, our volunteers still got out and cleaned up our lake.
But when it comes to the safety of all, we have decided the only option is to postpone the cleanup until later in the year. I think by now it goes without saying that we are following the CDC's guidelines. Stay tuned to this newsletter and to the
Ozarks Water Watch's Facebook page to find out the new cleanup date after the current crisis blows over.
These are strange times. In my 66 years on this world I am not sure I have experienced something such as this virus that has affected every person to this level. Our middle daughter has been teaching school in Laos for the past 2 years and was scheduled to move back home in June. But when the school went to online teaching, many of the teachers decided to get back home, with the blessing of the school administration, if they could. Sarah left her house in Laos last Thursday and 40 hours later, with the help of a 12 hour time difference, arrived at the Springfield airport at 8 pm last Friday night. She will still teach school online from the camper from 8 pm to 3 am local time until school ends this summer.
Safe distance at the airport while bringing daughter Sarah a car
Sarah's journey took her to five airports: Laos, Thailand, Tokyo, Dallas and Springfield. Interestingly no one ever questioned her about the virus. No screening in Dallas, no questions, no suggestions..... But in the interest of safety, Sarah is self-quarantining in our camper in our driveway for 2 weeks. We took her a car that she drove home and mom only got "air hugs" from the daughter she has not seen in over 8 months.
Self-quarantine in the camper for 2 weeks!
We also have relation in Italy that we are in contact with. What you hear on the news about their failing health care system, doctors having to make choices about who to treat and the many, many dying, are not exaggerations, but it may be actually worse than we are being told. This is serious stuff.
Locally at work, our office staff has geared up to work from home as much as we can, but Ozarks Environmental Services is considered
part of the "Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce" as we operate drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, so we have instituted safe working guidelines and that work goes on.
As I sit at my desk at home and write this newsletter (last Saturday), I think the most concerning issue is the unknown. We have no way of knowing how long this will last. But I have to say, I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! We will pull through this crisis stronger and more united. We will do what it takes and we will support each other. That is what we do.
If you are so inclined, I invite you to read
Psalms 91. Verses 2 and 3 read:
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
May God bless you and your family!
