Hello Point Roberts,
I am honored and extremely proud to be part of this community. I have heard and seen great acts of kindness in this time of need. So, this is a great big shout out from me to you – thank you!
All the meetings I attend continue to show how dynamic our current situation is and will continue to be into the summer months. Most of us have never lived through a pandemic, including the medical community. This is new territory for all of us.
As the “stay home, stay safe” order remains in place, you can still find time to get outside in your yard, take a walk or take a drive to change your scenery and refresh yourselves. This can be of great help to those struggling with isolation and can all be done while maintaining our social distancing.
As many of you know, CBSA has increased information gathering for those crossing over the border. They may ask you for your phone number, email address, home address and possibly other information. Please remember that they are there to do their job, follow direction from their command structure, and protect their country. We must always remember that it is a privilege to be allowed into another sovereign country.
In normal times, many of us are accustomed to crossing back and forth almost daily. These are not normal times. The precautions that appertain to border crossing all long the U.S./Canada border must be observed here as well. Be patient with and understanding of both U.S. and Canadian restrictions. We will be back to normal eventually.
As of the time of this letter, CBSA has extended its border operations until June 30 and CBP until April 30 (this is very dynamic). Eastern Washington and other locations across the U.S./Canadian Border will start to see reduced hours at some border crossing stations.
As my organization responds to calls and checks in on members of our community, please know that we will be wearing protective equipment including eye protection, masks and gloves. This does not mean that the person or home is in anyway COVID-19 positive. This protocol is in place for all medical, trauma or welfare check incidents for our safety and yours. So please, don’t start a social media tornado about your neighbor – this is only to protect everyone from a threat that no one can see.
Please find time to look into Airlift Northwest membership through their AirCare program. It covers helicopter medical transport by their service in all of Washington and southeastern Alaska. More information can be found here: uwmedicine.org/airliftnw/aircare.
I would again like to say thanks to all of you – businesses that are able to stay open, those providing carry out services, the food bank, clinic, banks, hardware store, community center, Meals on Wheels, Circle of Care, the school and everyone else working together to make this situation the best it can be. This virus does not care what status you hold, how much money you make, what political affiliation you have, or where you live. That is why it is so important to treat each other with kindness and understanding, and that we acknowledge one other in the best ways possible every day.
We will not falter at our mission to protect you. We are here for you and in this fight together.
Sincerely,
Christopher Carleton, Fire chief Point Roberts
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