Belleville needs your help during coronavirus fight, mayor says. Here’s what you can do
Dear Belleville Residents:
First, I want to say thank you for doing your part to help reduce the impact of COVID-19. While staying home may not feel like you’re doing something big, that’s actually the most important action to take in our community’s fight against this pandemic.
Daily life looks a little bit different right now, and we know that things won’t get back to normal at least until the end of the month since Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended the stay-at-home order until April 30.
I know this is not the news we wanted to hear and it’s a challenge for all of us. We miss seeing our friends and family and conducting our daily routines like we usually do. Be patient because things will return to the way they used to be.
For now, stay home and make sure your children stay home, too. The springtime weather is enticing and good for you. But remember, parks are closed to groups and group activities. Group gatherings undermine the progress we make by staying at home. The closer we stay to home, the shorter this will be.
Until then, we are relying heavily on some groups of people who are unable to stay home because they keep our community going. These people are health care workers, especially our doctors and staff at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, our grocery clerks, bus drivers and school food service workers, firemen, policemen, and many more essential workers. I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to these individuals and organizations.
I want to highlight the various acts of kindness I’ve seen in response to what our community is going through. I know there has been a tremendous outpouring of support for local non-profits. Thousands of pounds of food were delivered by private donors to the Interfaith Food Pantry in Belleville and to others in the region which has kept these organizations afloat as they’ve seen an influx in demand.
This need will persist and that means your help is still needed. Continue to support our non-profits. They’re relying on us more than ever.
Also, continue to support our small businesses in Belleville. Many restaurants and bars are offering curbside pick-up or delivery. They are part of the fabric of our community. If our small businesses hurt, we’ll feel the impact citywide.
Our own Memorial Hospital has put a call out for PPE donations and the community has responded. People are getting out their sewing machines and providing masks and other needs our health care providers are struggling to procure. Keep this up! This demand will continue to increase.
Please check on your elderly neighbors or those you know who are alone at this time. Send them a message or call them. Be patient with yourself and others. We are looking to the future and to resuming our usual daily lives.
In the meantime, be patient as we get through these coming weeks. Be kind. We’re all cooped up and are spending a lot of time with our immediate families. For a lot of us, this is demanding. Take breaks if you need them. Go on a walk, try deep breathing or another technique you know works for you to remain kind and calm.
Finally, take care of yourself. We know prayer helps many of us. Allow yourself time to experience the emotions this crisis has caused and if you need help, reach out.
Mark W. Eckert, Mayor of Belleville