EDITORIAL - My fellow Maderan's. Over the last few days in an attempt to reduce the risk of illness, MUSD decided to close our schools until April 13th, The Governor issued a statement recommending certain closures and today Madera County made an Emergency Declaration all in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Pandemic should be taken seriously and we should follow the guidelines and rules of the CDC and the Madera Co. Public Health Dept. We must stay ahead of this Virus and learn from those who have experienced much worse results than we have.

That being said, we must stay focused on working through this together. We must stay vigilant and take all necessary precautions. The City of Madera will continue to provide the best service delivery possible. Your garbage will be picked up, we have clean, safe drinking water and we will continue to provide the best police & fire protection to all of our residents.

I encourage you to be "Physically Distant" but not Socially Distant. Our seniors and elderly need us now more than ever. I ask that you keep in touch with your parents, grandparents and the elderly for they are facing more alone time than usual. Try to provide a sense of normalcy to young children, most of whom do not understand the magnitude of what is going on around them. It is times like these that Madera steps up.

It is in time of crisis that we as a community will band together and become part of the solution. I urge everyone to rely on your faith and trust that we will get through this together! Let's support those experiencing anxiety and stress. I am proud to be a Maderan, let's do our part and stay healthy for our families, friends and those around us. #MaderaProud 

For information about COVID-19 please visit www.maderacounty.com/covid19