Dear Editor:

Long after the Coronavirus secures history book infamy, we hope that practical lessons endure from the trials and tribulations.  We know, after all, that to ignore history is to condemn oneself to repeat it. Collectively, then, we need an organizational health infrastructure reset button and, individually, we need a self-accounting of our everyday habits and mindsets.

Consider first our investment priorities. The U.S., on average, spends 186.6 billion dollars a year on counter-terrorism measures. By contrast last year we allocated a billion dollars for pandemic prevention. Consequence? Congress has now pumped trillions for economic stimulus recovery. Go figure it.

Global accountability is in order.  China, for one, must confront the issue of transparent case reporting. Granted, this is a a novel virus and it’s easy to finger-point but the W.H.O, CDC. NIH and whole assorted alphabet soup of mega health organizations demand serious self—examination, on where the ball got dropped. National and regional and state governments, too, must evaluate why the world response was a dollar late and a day short.

Face it, we are woefully unprepared with our global health infrastructure and therefore sitting on a time bomb. Remember, this could be just a preview.   As a human race we are inextricably inter-connected thru easy travel, instant digital communication, and global markets. This pandemic should amplify our awareness that an outbreak anywhere is, in fact, an outbreak everywhere.  We’re literally one air passenger away.

Individually, too, we each play a part in world health as a fence is only as strong as its links.

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Do we blithely accept a health system that leaves tens of millions uninsured; or do we join the 21st century?

REDIRECTED ATTENTION:  Do we continue to support the effect-not-the-cause philosophy of pharmaceuticals or do we vigorously commit to a prevention approach to combat our raging national epidemics of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and hi-blood pressure.

PRIORITIES: Do we show indifference for Mother Earth’s fragile ecosystem; or do we act as mindful stewards of our priceless inheritance?

VALUES:   Do we worship the fleeting Almighty Dollar above all else; or do we instead seek the imperishable currency of God, family and country?

Yes, by any measure this pandemic is a gruesome ordeal, but we have to be open to grow, learn and extract lessons from it. The fabled evangelist Vance Havner said, “God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.”

Walter Ruehlig

Antioch

Dear Editor:

Recent activities brought a flurry of insights and observations which again has divided our City. It is great to be on the sideline at times seeing the arrows fly to and from. The division of community and most of all, reacting to what is considered was with cause. It is particularly important before you attest one’s character, you ensure that you are in the correct position to do so.

The public spoke adamantly for and against this commissioner. The public, many of them constituents of those elected, brought their concerns in during this emergency, public meeting and in private to the mayor and/or councilmembers.

There are two questions which were not brought forward by our city council or staff. These questions bring forth a bigger issue than that of what transcended on social media.

Appointments are not elected positions and as such, we rely on those elected to best review candidates interested in openings throughout the City. When an appointee has had financial ties to the City in which there was financial gain, the candidate should not be considered. When a commissioner is already in a seat of authority, the mayor should remove the commissioner immediately. This is to ensure the commission is unbiased.

Therefore, the first question is: why did the mayor and city council allow a commissioner whose had financial ties with the City to remain in a role of authority?

During council discussion with the city attorney, there was a question implied but sadly not stated well. The question brought forward was in the area of training. I believe the question better stated is, have all commissioners taken a Social Media Code of Conduct program in which there is a test to ensure they understand the implications of any conduct not aligned to their role would then lead to their immediate removal?

In today’s world, it could be blurry to understand one’s view as personal to one that of an appointed role. City staff noted there is a three-day conference where commission members attend which outlines their roles and what is expected of them. But the real question should be, did this commissioner complete the City of Antioch Code of Conduct program?

Furthermore, does the City of Antioch have a Code of Conduct program for their employees, elected official and appointees?

I am not providing an approval or condemnation of this commissioner. I can however state that if you’re going to shame a person, do so with a clean conscience knowing that you provided the tools for their success or they decide to take another path.

If you continue to pull back the layers on this subject and those involved, there will be more to discover which will cloud and divide this City even further.

Sincerely,

Gil Murillo

Antioch resident

EDITOR’s NOTE: During their special meeting on Friday night the Antioch City Council limited public comments to just one minute each from their regular three minutes. Former Antioch Police Chief had prepared three minutes of comments. Following are his complete comments:

“Good evening.

I am Allan Cantando and as you know, I am the Retired Antioch Police Chief –having served Antioch for over 29 years.

I am advocating that the Council refrain from removing Mr. Turnage from the Planning Commission due to a personal opinion he shared on his personal Facebook Page. If you remove Mr. Turnage, I believe you are violating his First Amendment rights.

The Staff report says, ‘The Chair of the Antioch Planning Commission posted a social media communication that does not represent the City of Antioch or the City Council.’  At no time did Mr. Turnage make a nexus to his volunteer position with the City of Antioch or even mention the City in any way.

Next, it is noted ‘The City Council and the public, through comments, emails and phone calls have questioned the ability of the Chair of the Antioch Planning Commission to represent them and many Antioch residents have called for the Commissioners resignation or removal.’

It appears on its face, that a Brown Act violation may have occurred and I am requesting the City Clerk to report this to the proper authorities. I would ask, how many people complained? Today’s ECT (eastcountytoday) article showed photos that were on Council Member Thorpe’s Facebook Page that appear to be mocking or advocating for Human Trafficking, and another, objectifying women. He has since taken these down. However, I would ask, do those represent the values of the City Council and the City of Antioch? How many people have to call in for Mayor Wright to ask for Thorpe’s resignation? This is a slippery slope and I am asking this council to refrain from going down it. Why? Because like it or not, Mr. Thorpe had a right to post his personal preferences and opinions on his personal page. Additionally, you cannot hold yourselves to a lower standard than you for unpaid city volunteers.

Let’s call this what it is…a political attack on Mr. Turnage because he has been critical of this Council on many occasions. Most recently he was vocal about this council not providing more Measure W monies to fund the hiring of police officers. In addition, this is politically motivated because Mr. Turnage has announced a possible run for the City Council seat that Ms. Wilson currently holds. A certain faction of the City Council are concerned that Mr. Turnage will get Ms. Wilson’s seat because in her two terms in office, she has done very little and was unable to fulfill her campaign promise of building up Antioch’s economic vitality. Ms. Wilson has spent a great deal of time piggy-backing on the Red Sand project that is a police department function combating Human Trafficking which Mr. Thorpe apparently thinks is funny. I don’t recall Ms. Wilson asking for his resignation, but I guess Mr. Thorpe is not running against her in the next election.

While I do not agree with the personal opinion Mr. Turnage posted, he has a constitutional right to express it –especially when it is not in his capacity as a member of the planning commission just as Mr. Thorpe has the same constitutional right to post undignified pictures on his personal Facebook Page that I might find offensive; it doesn’t go both ways.

Do the right thing. You have already most likely broken laws related to the Brown Act. Please do not compound this by violating a person’s constitutional first amendment rights and furthermore abusing the power given to you by the citizens of this city.”

Need to slow down, not overreact, instead censure and give him a second chance, and focus on what’s more important by actually helping those they claim to care so much about

I was always taught actions speak louder than words.

The Mayor of Antioch and three council members have rightfully expressed their disdain over what Planning Commission Chair Ken Turnage, II wrote on his Facebook page, last Thursday, about lifting the shelter-in-place order knowing that some of the more vulnerable in our community might die. They have scheduled a special meeting Friday night (tonight) at 7 p.m. to consider voting to remove him, not as chair but from the commission completely. One of those groups Turnage referred to in his comment is the homeless in Antioch. (View the meeting on the City’s website by clicking here).

I too found his comments unacceptable, especially for a public official and one considering running for public office. I agree with someone who commented on his post basically writing, why can’t we do both, end the shelter in place and do our best to protect the most vulnerable among us? I believe we can.

But what’s more important, words that hurt people’s feelings and if implemented could hurt people or the lack of action that’s actually hurting people?

While it’s easy for council members to be appalled and sanctimonious, labeling his comments disgusting and abhorrent, what’s more disgusting and abhorrent is taking votes to approve spending over $500,000 and apply for and receive five Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailers to help and house the homeless, appearing to be doing something, raising the hopes of that group of vulnerable people in our community, but in reality doing little to nothing to actually spend that money or place the trailers and move some of the homeless in to actually help them?

The council voted unanimously in December to approve the expenditures, and to hire an unhoused resident coordinator, fund motel vouchers, and portable toilets among other things. But, to date, according to City Manager Ron Bernal very little of the money has been spent.

There is no motel voucher program to get the homeless out of the wet and cold of the winter. Yet, here we are now in a time of better weather. Also, no unhoused resident coordinator has been hired. They did hire a homeless consultant who is supposed to help the council and city staff rewrite the Request for Proposal to hire the unhoused resident coordinator. But, the new RFP hasn’t been sent out, yet.

So, after months of meetings by the ad hoc committee, council discussion and votes, and then all the fanfare over the delivery of the FEMA trailers, nothing has really been done or money spent to actually help the homeless in Antioch.

Yet, now the mayor and council members are more concerned about the words of a planning commissioner they find hurtful and want to take an urgent, overreaction of removing him from his position.

Why is that?

Let’s remember, this is an election year, and for the first time, possibly ever in our city’s history, all five members of the council are up for re-election. Furthermore, Turnage might run against the incumbent, Council Member Monica Wilson, who first called for his removal and who went so far as to inject slavery into her condemnation, hinting at a racial motive behind the commissioner’s comments, irresponsibly stirring up racial division in our community. Her comment must also be denounced.

Plus, the council members claim they are receiving many emails and phone calls from residents calling for his removal. So, in order to protect their own political skins, they’re willing to sacrifice someone who has done great service to our community for many years, even to the point of being honored as Antioch’s Citizen of the Year for Most Impact in 2015 (see related article) over a one-time comment he wrote.

With all due respect to Turnage, he isn’t the most eloquent speaker or writer. He’s not a politician. He’s a local business owner, a general contractor who has not only been affected by the shelter-in-place, but whose building where his offices are located has been broken into, and homeless jumping the fence and using his property to camp on. Turnage is understandably upset. But he should have done a better job choosing his words and recognizing the hurt feelings his “survival of the fittest” viewpoint caused and the hurt they literally could cause if implemented.

What needs to happen is the council should, instead vote to censure Turnage for his comments and give him the opportunity to publicly apologize. They should give him a second chance and not simply participate in the silencing of those with whom we disagree, as is happening on social media by the big tech firms, and is called for by the overly sensitive in our society, looking for some reason to be offended.

Then Turnage needs to apologize and put this all behind us, then leave it up to the voters to decide in November, should he choose to run for city council.

If he doesn’t make a public apology by next Thursday, the day the agenda for the council’s next regular meeting on May 12th is finalized and distributed, then the mayor can choose to include a vote for removal. But a vote to censure Turnage should be enough.

The council members need to make sure they’re not taking a vote based on politics and what might happen to them in the next election. They need to not be finger in the wind politicians overreacting to the views of some members of the public.

Most importantly, the council members need to take action, and start spending the money to actually help the homeless in Antioch whom they claim to care so much about.

Words are one thing. Actions speak louder.

Messsage from the County Health Director

Contra Costa County Health Services Director Anna Roth, RN, MS, MPH. Photo: CCHealth.org

For all of us caught in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic, life has changed fundamentally. How we socialize, learn, exercise, dine and work has been reshaped entirely in the course of just a few weeks. That level of change, combined with the inherent health concerns related to COVID-19, has created levels of stress and anxiety typical of war zones. Combine all that with the frustration of not knowing when this might end, how we will all be impacted and what a post-COVID-19 world will look like and you might expect fractures in our community.

But we’re not breaking apart. In fact, as I look around, I see a community that is pulling together in many different and powerful ways. Yes, we’re all under immense stress, but Contra Costa County has risen to the challenge, showing a level of respect, cooperation and involvement that is simply remarkable. It’s too early to predict the future, but one thing I do foresee is Contra Costa County emerging from all this with pride for modeling a remarkable level of civility and leadership.

It’s these increased acts of community participation that make it possible for Contra Costa County Health Services to respond in a coordinated, science-based and thoughtful manner to this crisis. The health department’s purpose is to protect and preserve life. We prepare and practice for mass emergencies on a regular basis—earthquakes, fires, disease outbreaks and other disasters. It is our obligation to be prepared even for a once-in-a-century pandemic. And now, with COVID-19, our purpose inspires and drives us to balance the need for extreme caution with a respect for your need to live as normal a life as possible in the face of this crisis.

As one of the first states to see COVID-19 cases, California could well have faced the same catastrophic impacts that other states are now experiencing. However, because of the courage and foresight of health and government officials in Contra Costa County and the entire Bay Area, we took strong and immediate action. Issuing one of the nation’s first region-wide shelter in place orders, the Bay Area slowed the spread of this unprecedented threat to prevent the crushing demand on hospital resources, which prevented illness and death. None of this is possible without the understanding and cooperation of all of you. Your willingness to alter your lives in ways we know are disruptive is vital for the health and well-being of the entire community as well as the safety of our essential workers.

Part of what’s made our response effective thus far has been the cooperation and coordination of the entire county government apparatus. From our Board of Supervisors and County Administration to the multiple different county departments, we are seeing an unprecedented level of alignment and action. Separate departments are sharing resources, staff expertise and contacts to make sure that the county’s response is as comprehensive and coordinated as possible. By the same respect, the county’s 19 cities are partnering closely with all of these efforts to magnify our reach, impact and efficiency. This has been a true example of a whole government response to support and protect the people of Contra Costa County.

Rightly so, there has been a lot of focus on the amazing individuals on the front lines of this epidemic – our healthcare workers, medics, police, fire and many more. As the county’s health director, I have never been more inspired in my entire career than to work with doctors, nurses, clinicians, lab workers, disease investigators, community health workers, registration, administration and custodial staff and countless other essential workers who have never once questioned their responsibility. Instead, they come to work every day dedicated to protecting and preserving lives in our county. It is humbling to witness this level of commitment to others. And for every worker that is responding on the multiple front lines of this pandemic, there’s a team of support staff working to make sure they have the materials, protection, data, information, and expertise they need so they can focus their attention on the work of helping people get and stay well.

The other day, I was on my way to a field health care site we have prepared. As I was driving, I saw a gathering of people at a local school. With masks and gloves on, dozens of volunteers had shown up to distribute food to their neighbors, friends and strangers who are feeling some of the greatest economic impact of this pandemic. As I passed the group I was filled with gratitude. I believe this deep sense of community and connection is part of what makes us resilient and will take us forward to greet the days ahead.

Many thanks for all the ideas, feedback and information so many of you have shared with Contra Costa County Health Services. Your input is helping us to improve each day. Thank you for your continued support of our health department and each other.

Wishing you all safety, health and wellness

Anna Roth, RN, MS, MPH

My fellow Americans. In these trying times we must be ever vigilant of our surroundings but most importantly our common sense and gut reaction. My father, being of few words always press into our psyche.

“Think to do. Don’t do to think!”

With that I publicly declare, especially with this apparent plandemic.

“I do not assume! I do not consent!   However, I do under duress follow these recommendations under the purported information we are being fed.  Therefore, let it be known I will not give up my God-given rights indefinitely! And I hope neither will you. This plandemic shall pass. And I will fight with all my might to regain my rights.

Please feel free to mirror these sentiments and tell ten people that tell ten people.  You are not alone with these observations. We are being conditioned and trained for the new “normal” over a flu.

Not on my watch!

“One can lose one’s rights for a stick of gum.  But it takes a bloody nose to get it back!”

Fernando Navarro

Antioch

Dear Editor:

Our epic and titanic struggle against Corona Virus is likened to waging war, but unlike other conflicts the current enemy is invisible.  Not only are the lines between civilians and combatants non-existent but the physical enemy, the deadly virus, is unseen. There’s mental enemies, fear and depression, that are likewise ghostly.

The doctors daily address the need for social distancing, sheltering at home and using masks. On top of their advice, common sense dictates we keep our immune systems as strong as possible partaking in a daily routine, sound nutrition, hydration, exercise, and sunshine. What, though, of the insidious psychological foes?

It is said that idleness is the devil’s workshop.  We’ve got our work cut out then because threatening boredom, coupled with a constant barrage of grim cable and internet news, can grind down the spirits of the best of us.

Physics offers some hope in telling us that two things can’t occupy the same place at the same time.  As darkness recedes to rays of light, as cold subsides to warmth, fear recedes from hope, negativity shrinks from positivity. When my two children were teenagers I found that the best way to limit their piss and vinegar was to keep them so engaged with activity that they didn’t have time for acting-out nonsense, though that’s not to say that even that sensible teenage prescription was foolproof!

No arguing, activity can do catalytic wonders and I offer here a short list of tips that have helped me in the never-ending battle for a positive disposition during these times of trial and tribulation.

1. Establish some needed normalcy thru a daily routine.
2. Set the day’s compass upon rising with prayer and meditation.
3. Indulge often in laughter, the best medicine.   Crazy as it sounds, Job 5:22 says ‘you should laugh at destruction and famine.’
4. Rediscover family board games. It could be a refreshing break from each of us satiating on electronic gadgets.
5. Explore a new or old hobby. As example, my wife has of late spent considerable hours revisiting family tree research and matching family photo albums with internet sleuthing.
6. Read a good book.
7. Bring a smile by surprising an old friend or family member with a phone call or gift basket at their door.
8. Bookend the day not with distressing cable news but be inspired reflecting on reasons for gratitude or by Scriptural reading.

In war, the enemy takes no quarter. Our foe is relentless and the scourge virulent, so our charge is one of physical, mental and spiritual vigilance as we each soldier on.

Americans have an indomitable spirit. We’ve triumphed over two world wars, 9-11, a great Depression and a Great Recession, this too shall pass with us coming out victorious and the stronger and the wiser for the ordeal.

In the midst of tough times we must reject the dead weights of worry, resentment, fear and sadness and own the wings of hope, appreciation, peace and humor. Our Mother Country, the Brits, call it a stiff upper lip.

Our ultimate triumph lies in embracing the truth that occasional ‘trouble is inevitable, misery is optional.’

Walter Ruehlig

Antioch

As most Californians and Americans shelter in place, the children are being homeschooled with online learning, high school and sports tournaments and championships have been cancelled, professional sporting events postponed, movie theaters closed and churches holding online services, the question that comes to mind is how did we allow unelected officials to make these decisions that are not only negatively affecting millions of Americans, but limiting our God-given, constitutionally-guaranteed, First and Second Amendment rights of freedom of religion and assembly, and the right to bear arms. Plus, their decisions are creating potentially long-term devastating effects to our economy.

There have been some positive results and responses to our current situation, from the outpouring of generosity and hospitality from Americans both old and young, rich and poor, as well as the quick response by many in the American business sector to retool their manufacturing capabilities to meet the demands of the healthcare industry.

Yet, it’s the county health officers, not the elected members of the county Board of Supervisors who issued the shelter in place orders. It was the state health officer who, a few days later, issued the statewide stay at home order, which our elected governor announced and issued an executive order to support. It wasn’t our elected school board members who closed the schools, but our superintendents who – I was surprised to learn – have that authority and exercised it.

So far, 10 million Americans who have been thrown out of work as a result, have filed for unemployment, because millions of businesses are closed. That means they can’t pay their employees, their rent to their landlords, nor pay their suppliers, who in turn can’t pay their employees or bills.

Now, we have a conflict over which businesses and workers are considered essential, among the county, state and federal governments. Can residential construction continue or not? Are Realtors essential or not? That depends on which county you live in based on the determination of that county’s health officer. Should that be the way it’s decided and who should be deciding it, and affecting two of the major industries in our nation?

The statistics show most people won’t contract the virus, because most of us are generally healthy. Most of those who do won’t need to be hospitalized and the ultimate fact is very few of those who are hospitalized will die from it. Plus, many who have died had other, underlying health challenges.

Add to that the fact there are conflicting projections of how many people will actually be affected by or die from the Wuhan/coronavirus/COVID-19. Also, it’s not affecting each county, state or even each nation, the same.

The bottom line is, too much power has been placed in the hands of those with no accountability to “we the people” and all of them who have made such decisions have a guaranteed, government salary and benefits. So, their decisions of closing businesses and ordering most of us to shelter in place aren’t affecting their ability to earn a living and pay their bills.

This is a democratic republic, a government of law with elected representatives who pass and implement those laws. Once this is over, and it needs to happen sooner rather than later, we the people need our elected representatives to take back control of our county, state and nation, and change who gets to make these decisions in the future. We need our elected officials to make the common sense, balanced decisions, and protect our collective interests, instead of abdicating their rightful leadership roles to non-elected officials.

In our country and with our form of government, non-elected officials are supposed to make recommendations to our elected officials who answer to “we the people”. Then it’s the elected official’s responsibility to make the final decisions.

Yes, good health is number one. But being able to provide for ourselves and our families, now and for the long-term, is a close and possibly equal second. There must be a balance between protecting the public health with the ability for individuals to meet their own needs and those of their families.

Here’s what we need our elected leaders to do as soon as possible, to get us back to our lives: require those who are vulnerable, over age 70 or with health challenges, to self-isolate and shelter in place, while the rest of us get back to work, while being careful to wash our hands, sneeze and cough into our elbow bends, social distance as much as possible, wear masks, and wipe down surfaces, etc.

Elected officials, it’s time to step up and take back control of the government we elected you to lead.