A note to our friends and neighbors:
Another week has passed in this new reality and significant changes are now affecting our everyday lives. Following the Governor’s “Stay Home” order on March 19, our community has been asked to navigate life while practicing physical distancing. This is uncharted territory for everyone, including our Visit Stockton team, and we are doing our best to comply so we can be part of the solution to this global problem. A huge thank you to those of you who are committed to helping us "flatten the curve."
For many, the world is looking more uncertain than it was last week, and not just because of the threat of illness. We know there have been hundreds of layoffs in our community, many of which happened in the hospitality industry. Our hearts go out to those affected, as well as their families. There are many support services coming online now and many more on the way. If you are looking for help, or want to offer help, there are ways to take action today by clicking the links below.
In uncertain times, we find comfort in the things we can count on. Most often that means we lean on each other, our daily routines, and our favorite things. Generally, those things are not easily done by ourselves from our living rooms. Thankfully, technology has advanced to a place where we can stay connected, support one another, and keep moving in a positive direction.
It is heartwarming to see so many messages of hope and love on social media. Across the world people are connecting like never before. Technology is bringing people together for happy hour; teaching our kids new languages, art forms, and science experiments; and keeping businesses alive via web meetings, online orders, and gift card purchases. Museums are sharing free virtual tours, musicians are hosting free concerts from their living rooms, and fitness enthusiasts are offering free classes to anyone looking to practice some self-care. These are the stories we want to share, the people and organizations we want to interact with, and the kind of world we want to live in. If you are doing some of these things locally, please tag @visitstockton so we can share your message. If you aren’t doing these things, maybe today is a good day to start inspiring your community and sharing some love.
Thank you for your kindness, strength, and determination during these unique times. The Visit Stockton team will continue to bring you the best information possible and support our community members as we navigate the days ahead. Stay home, stay healthy, and stay motivated. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces again soon.
With wishes for a healthy week ahead,
Wes Rhea, Visit Stockton CEO
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