[Editor’s note: Because reaction to the coronavirus by state, county and city officials is changing rapidly, some of the information in this article may be out of date.]

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed life as we knew it. Across the country, shelter in place orders and self-quarantines keep people inside, hunkering down and stockpiling food and essential supplies in hopes to make it through these weeks of “flattening the curve” without being one of the unlucky few to catch the virus and suffer its symptoms. As of March 24, La Mesa had zero reported cases of COVID-19, but like everywhere else, businesses, residents, and city government are reacting to this new reality as best they can.

Mensaje de agradecimiento

La Mesa residents have found a variety of activities to cope during the quarantine. For Molly Robb, it was a “chalk your walk” project her family and neighbors created.

“It’s basically having your sidewalk decorated so neighbors can get exercise and still interact, while being in quarantine,” she said, adding that she was inspired to do the project from a viral post she saw online. “I took that idea and wanted to do a more inclusive project. I began taping off areas, and kids started coloring.”

The chalk mural, which depicts a stained glass heart with the words “La Mesa Strong! Thank you hospital, grocery, truckers, tradesmen, 1st responders, teachers, essential staff” took three to complete “because I wanted to get all the neighbors involved,” Robb said.

“It’s an activity that we’re able to keep our distance and still get some fresh air,” she said, adding that it was hurried because of the rain.

“The piece is gone now,” she said. “It was washed away last night. I’m not disappointed or discouraged. I have a new blank slate. All of this is temporary, the chalk, quarantine. What lasts is our love for our community and our perseverance. I already have a plan for what I’m going to do next, I definitely I have a lot of time. I want to thank my family, neighbors, especially my wonderful neighbor Tina, to help me finish.”

Las empresas se adaptan

El 20 de marzo, el gobernador Gavin Newsom ordenó a los californianos que se quedaran en casa a excepción de los servicios esenciales como tiendas de abarrotes, farmacias, bancos de alimentos, tiendas de conveniencia, bancos, lavanderías y restaurantes que ofrecen comida para llevar y entrega a domicilio.

While some of the more upscale La Mesa restaurants like Farmer’s Table and BO-beau kitchen + garden opted to temporarily close down during the outbreak, others have stayed open to offer takeout and delivery.

For longtime La Mesa Village staple Johnny B’s, offering delivery was a brand new service for customers.

“I just activated Doordash this past week and it’s been pretty good, but there’s no barometer I can use because it’s a whole new way of looking at things,” said Johnny B’s owner John Bedlion, adding that when things get back to normal he will look to see if it is still worth offering delivery. Johnny B’s never offered delivery before because the restaurant was often too busy to add extra orders.

En general, dijo Bedlion, los clientes siguen apoyando su negocio.

“The response has been pretty damn good. I’m pleasantly surprised,” he said. “That being said, I’m still very cautious. But the customers have been wonderful to our servers and generous with their tips.”

In addition to takeout meals, Johnny B’s is also taking advantage of a temporary rule allowing restaurants to serve takeout alcoholic beverages.

“The cocktail thing took us by surprise,” Bedlion said. “Over the weekend we sold more than I thought we would. It’s not flying off the shelf, but it’s another opportunity to make some more money, which is great.”

Despite the community support, the quarantine has still had an effect on Johnny B’s staff.

“I’ve cut hours. I had to,” Bedlion said, adding that he offered his senior employees the most opportunity and that he is currently employing two people per shift. “It’s really just a crap shoot. I’m trying to give them as many hours as I can and they can still go collect unemployment. Most of them are very happy that that’s happening.”

Para la seguridad de los clientes y los empleados, Bedlion dijo que limpia todo en el restaurante cada vez que alguien entra y se va.

“We’re taking all the precautions we can take,” he said.

Although Johnny B’s is doing relatively well during the quarantine, Bedlion recognizes that his decades-long presence in the Village that has built him a loyal customer base is a major factor.

“It’s tough times for everyone, we’re all in the same boat,” he said. “Some small businesses are suffering worse than we are — they’re closed. I’m not closed. I’m lucky.”

Con los negocios minoristas tradicionales cerrados durante el pedido de permanencia en casa, algunos negocios locales en línea están encontrando suerte y viendo un aumento en los clientes.

Kristel Boe es la propietaria de Art Beat San Diego (artbeatsandiego.com), que ofrece clases de arte, fiestas de arte y otros servicios relacionados con el arte. Uno de sus productos es una Mystery Art Box que contiene materiales e instrucciones para completar tres proyectos de arte únicos con varios temas dirigidos a diferentes grupos de edad y se vende por $60. Después de que Boe, una maestra de arte en La Mesa, ofreciera sus cajas de arte en las redes sociales a los padres que ahora se enfrentan a unas vacaciones de primavera prolongadas, el negocio despegó.

“I’ve had a wonderfully warm response from the community,” she said. “I sold 60 mystery art boxes on the first day. Nearing 100 Mystery Art Boxes sold in the week. It’s been wonderful delivering art boxes all over La Mesa and San Diego, and receiving emails and photos from parents thanking me for the service.”

La ciudad reacciona

El 13 de marzo, el alcalde Mark Arapostathis declaró formalmente el estado de emergencia en la ciudad.

“In order to ensure that the City of La Mesa is eligible to receive any available and necessary disaster relief funds, we have declared a formal state of emergency,” he wrote in a statement. Mayor Arapostathis also stressed following state guidelines of social distancing six feet apart.

“The most important guidance is that if you are sick please stay home. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in keeping our community healthy and safe,” the statement concluded.

En los días siguientes, la ciudad también tomó otras acciones sin precedentes. El 17 de marzo, la ciudad anunció que a partir del 18 de marzo al mediodía, el Ayuntamiento y otras instalaciones de la ciudad estaban cerradas al público hasta nuevo aviso. Los servicios esenciales se brindan solo con cita previa.

Para concertar una cita, envíe un correo electrónico o llame a:

• Planning: [email protected] o 619-667-1348

• Building: [email protected] o 619-667-1176

• Code Compliance: 619-667-1189

• Engineering: [email protected] o 619-667-1166

• Cashier: [email protected] o 619-667-1111

También el 17 de marzo, el administrador municipal Greg Humora emitió una orden ejecutiva limitando los desalojos en la ciudad. La orden está vigente hasta el 31 de mayo, a menos que se extienda.

Otras acciones que ha tomado la ciudad incluyen suspender la aplicación de la ley de estacionamiento para barrer las calles y permitir estacionamiento gratuito de 5 minutos en el Village para que los residentes y visitantes recojan pedidos de comida para llevar de los restaurantes.

To receive up-to-date information from the city of La Mesa, visit bit.ly/3bpFUZe.

Un hospital necesitado

Across the country, hospitals are running out of needed supplies to safely handle the coronavirus outbreak. Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa is no exception, although is meeting the community’s needs in terms of hospital bed capacity.

“Sharp Grossmont Hospital has long managed San Diego’s busiest emergency room and our staff is meeting the added challenge of the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure patients have the care they need,” said Sharp Grossmont communications director Bruce Hartman. “The capacity issue has seen some relief since elective and non-emergent procedures have been cancelled, allowing staff to backfill other areas where they are needed.”

El hospital está pidiendo al público que done cualquiera de los siguientes artículos comunes, nuevos o usados:

• Disposable facemasks

• N95 masks, sometimes called respirators

• Eye protection including face shields and safety goggles

• Disposable gowns

• Disposable gloves, especially non-latex

• Disposable surgical caps

• Disposable foot covers

• Wipes: bleach or antimicrobial

• Hand sanitizer

Artículos más especializados que necesita el hospital:

• PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators) and PAPR hoods

• Nasal testing swabs

• Viral testing kits

 Items can be dropped off at Sharp’s Brier Patch Campus adjacent to the hospital, at 9000 Wakarusa Ave., La Mesa, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday–Friday.

Also, Sharp created content on its website for the community to get the latest updates on Covid-19, FAQs, visitor restrictions, health information, etc. Visit sharp.com/services/coronavirus.cfm.

—Reach editor Jeff Clemetson at [email protected].

Restaurantes abiertos y negocios en La Mesa

La Cámara de Comercio de La Mesa y la asociación La Mesa Village han recopilado información sobre sus respectivos restaurantes y negocios miembros que están abiertos para llevar o entregar durante la cuarentena. Además, San Diego Restaurant Week y la Asociación de Restaurantes de California se han asociado para mantener una guía actualizada de los restaurantes que aún atienden a los clientes. Siga los enlaces a continuación para obtener información de contacto importante, horarios de atención y más.

• La Mesa Chamber of Commerce member restaurants: conta.cc/39cqCWi

• La Mesa Village Association restaurants and businesses: lamesavillageassociation.org. Follow the link under the COVID-19 Update.

• CA Restaurant Association: SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com