A MODESTO PEACE/LIFE CENTER PUBLICATION MAY, 2020 VOLUME XXVIII, NO. 8 Three in Four Californians are worried about family Stanislaus Mayors! illness, personal finances during COVID-19 pandemic Optimism about State’s Economic Outlook at Lowest STOP: It is too soon Level since Great Recession Note: The findings below are from PPIC’s latest state- to open up! wide survey which can be found on the PPIC Statewide with children at home are much more likely to be very By JAMES COSTELLO, P.A. worried (55%) than those without (35%). Survey page. As of April 25, Modesto is “Most Californians are worried about the negative fi- As the number of known COVID-19 cases statewide opening parks and golf cours- nancial impact of the pandemic, while half of those with continues to grow, overwhelming majorities of Californians es under specific guidelines. lower incomes and those with children at home say they are worried about a family member getting sick or about Bathrooms will be cleaned are very worried,” Baldassare said. their personal finances worsening due to the coronavirus. twice a week. Playground Asked whether worry or stress related to the coronavirus Asked how worried they are—if at all—about them- equipment cleansing is up to has affected their mental health, 27 percent of Californians selves or someone in their family getting sick from the parents. If you feel reassured, say it has had a major negative impact and another 23 coronavirus, more than three in four Californians say they you should not be. percent report a minor negative impact. Adults ages 18 are either very (41%) or somewhat (37%) worried. Latinos The recent Stanislaus County to 34 and ages 35 to 54 are more likely to say it has had (60%) and Asian Americans (41%) are more likely than mayors’ letter to Governor Gavin Newsom calling for an, “ag- a major negative impact (31% of both age groups) than whites (28%) and African Americans (22%) to be very gressive strategy for reopening our County for business,” in are those age 55 and over (18%). Renters (34%) are more worried. the midst of this coronavirus pandemic is short-sighted. Why? likely than homeowners (21%) to report a major negative “Most Californians are worried about a family member Most people in our area have not been sick with COVID-19, impact on mental health. getting sick from the coronavirus, while Latinos and Asian which means they are at risk for acquiring the virus if exposed. “Half of Californians say that the pandemic has had a Americans are especially likely to say they are very wor- This means that YOU are at risk for serious illness if you or negative impact on their mental health,” Baldassare said. ried,” said Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO. others violate social distancing guidelines, especially if you “Younger adults and renters are especially likely to report At the same time, three in four Californians say they are have serious pre-existing medical conditions. feeling worry and stress having a major impact.” either very (41%) or somewhat (34%) worried about the There seems to be a misunderstanding by the mayors and PPIC’s survey highlights a steep drop in optimism pandemic having a negative impact on their own or their others about the slow rise in cases of viral infection in our about California’s economic outlook. Only 19 percent family’s finances. Half (50%) of Californians with annual county. That the curve has been kept down reflects a control expect good times financially in the state during the next incomes below $40,000 are very worried, compared with 42 of viral spread, but that does not mean the virus is going away 12 months. This is down from 49 percent in January 2020 percent of those earning $40,000 to $79,000 and 32 percent and that it is safe to relax social distancing measures. In fact, of those with incomes of $80,000 or above. Californians continued page 10 the curve is still rising. While the letter ostensibly advises adherence to the standard social distancing guidelines, it actually advocates COVID-19 Screening Tool relaxing some of them. Opening parks and other areas where maintaining separation is possible may be feasible, but are This tool can help you understand what to do you going to touch anything in the restroom? Are your chil- next about COVID-19. dren? Are you going to trust the playground equipment your Let’s all look out for each other by knowing children will use? your status, trying not to infect others, and As any mother knows, youngsters routinely touch their hands to their faces and mouths without washing hands first. reserving care for those in need. One Oakdale mother was not worried. Her children could START SCREENING (Click) wash their hands when they get home. That is too late to continued page 2 INSIDE CONNECTIONS READERS! Sign-up for our e-edition! PEACE CAMP . 2 HOMELESSNESS . 7 Get the latest e-edition of Stanislaus Connections delivered right into your email box! WEAR A MASK . 3 CIVIL LIBERTIES . 8 PEACE ESSAY WINNER . 4 GATHERING OF VOICES . 9 Can enlarge text to read more easily! Print out if desired! ENTER THE TWILIGHT ZONE . 5 COMMUNITY . 10 To sign-up, send your email address to Jim Costello, [email protected] PRIMER ON HOMELESSNESS . 6 EMERGING HOPE . .11 If you do not have Adobe Reader, download it free from http://www.adobe.com/downloads/ 2 PEACE CAMP MAY, 2020 Green Tips for a 38th Annual Peace Camp: June 26-28, 2020 By MARIAN McBRIDE-LUMAN intact and is still a place of beauty and tranquility. Green Planet Note: this event may be cancelled. Camp Peaceful Pines features a kitchen and bathroom The Modesto Peace/Life Center’s 38th Annual Peace Camp facilities, rustic cabins and platform tents and a special needs COVID-19: A good time to consider in the Sierras will take place on June 26-28, 2020 at Camp cabin. Depending on the number of campers, cabins may farm fresh produce delivery Peaceful Pines. We’ll enjoy a weekend of workshops, good be shared. Campers share in meal preparation, cleanup, and food, singing, drum circle, crafts, talent show, recreation, other work. By TINA ARNOPOLE DRISKILL and stimulating people of all ages in a beautiful mountain The camp fee covers the program, food and lodging for Our family has considered farm fresh produce delivery for setting. Families and individuals are welcome. Register early the weekend. Adults are $75 before May 1st, $85 before June quite some time. Now with COVID-19 I am guessing we are for a discount. 4 and $95 after June 4. Young people, 18 and under, are $55 among many who have looked into grocery delivery to aid Leng Power will present the Saturday workshop before May 1st, $60 before June 4 and $65 after June 4. Ages in physical distancing and help stop the spread of this global “Joy: The Secret Sauce of Self-Renewal and Community 3 and under free. Minors under 18 need to be accompanied by wake-up call virus. Transformation.” “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be in your an adult. Partial scholarships and day rates are also available. In researching options for local farm produce delivery, I revolution.” - Emma Goldman, Russian Feminist Activist. Donations for scholarships are appreciated. The camp opens have discovered many choices for farm fresh food delivery Leng will explore the work of social movements that use with supper at 6:00pm on Friday and closes after the morn- that go beyond doing our part to help flatten the curve, includ- centered-joy and lightheartedness as a subversive and ef- ing gathering on Sunday. Directions and other information ing local food markets, national food delivery companies, and regional farms. fective strategy to create collective resiliency. Participants will be provided to participants before camp. Registration www.stanislausconnections. We have chosen a Central Valley organic farm, and in will learn practical ways in which joy can be incorporated forms are available online at the choosing have learned about many benefits other than into their lives as a critical component towards building a org and www.peacelifecenter.org to download and mail. The convenience and safety. A quote from our farm’s home resistance to fear and despair. This workshop will incorporate online registration payment option can be done by searching page explains, “The best and most sustainable farms” and movement of body and breathing exercises. for Peace Camp 2020 at www.brownpapertickets.com. There farm systems...are the ones “that focus on the right blend Camp Peaceful Pines, on Clark Fork Road off Hwy. 108 is will be a wait list if registration becomes full. of economic and environmental sustainability” - ones “that the venue for Peace Camp. In 2018, the Donnell Fire burned Information: Marian McBride-Luman, 209-765-0640, will nurture the unborn generations from whom we are aThe much of the surrounding area but the Camp itself remains [email protected] environmental picture focuses on “eliminating the use of fossil fuels, not transporting products extreme distances, minimizing soil tillage, not adding any external fertilizers, from page 1 using only heirloom seed varieties and watering crops just Stop!: Too Soon to Open enough to keep them alive.” prevent possible exposure and transmission of COVID-19! “Within a few days, at least six members had a fever or The farm we chose uses 7 core components to sustain their Research published by the Cleveland Clinic has shown reported symptoms. On 16 March, 24 people reported ill- food system, several of which are not required for organic that the virus can live on surfaces at varying degrees of time: ness, including some members who attended the 10 March certification: Glass – 5 days.