Dear Residents and Friends of Ferndale,

The City of Ferndale is to be congratulated for sheltering-in-place and following good hygiene during this wave of coronavirus transmission. The State has recently acknowledged that with adequate testing and hospital capacity, and low numbers of cases, some counties may move further ahead in Stage 2 Reopening. Humboldt is one of the counties where additional sectors of the economy may open. Businesses need to be certified to ensure that both employees and customers remain safe. Several of the businesses in town have already prepared their plans and have received their certificates. We thank them for their efforts.

One of the business accommodations to ensure everyone’s safety is wearing masks. Wearing a mask yourself may only protect you about 30% from catching the virus from someone else. If you are a carrier (and symptoms may not show for 2 weeks, if at all) you may be unknowingly spreading the virus. Roughly 44% of all infections occur from people without any symptoms. In this case, wearing a mask will reduce the probability of spreading the virus by 95%. Wearing a mask shows that you care enough to protect the people around you.

In order to get infected, one must receive enough viral load. This can occur quickly as from a sneeze or cough of someone infected, or with someone infected just breathing in a confined space over an extended period of time. This is among the criteria County Public Health is using to determine which businesses may open, and the safety plans they will be required to follow.

Exposure to Virus x Extended Period of Time

Ferndale is known for coming together through crises whether it is for a single family or the whole community. As we go about re-opening, let’s keep in mind that risks for catching and spreading the virus will increase, but by taking care of each other we can mitigate the risk a great deal. It may be inconvenient (and we recognize that for some not possible) to wear masks, but currently, The Humboldt County Health Officer Health Order states people must wear a facial covering before they enter:

• Any indoor facility except for their own residence
• Any enclosed space
• Any outdoor space where individuals are unable to maintain at all times a distance of six feet from others.

Remember, by wearing a mask, practicing proper social distancing, using hand sanitizers as well as washing our hands regularly, we can help keep all of us safe and open up more of our town.

Sincerely,
City of Ferndale Mayor Michael Sweeney, Councilman Stephen Avis, Councilwoman Kathleen Bullard, Councilwoman Jennifer Fisk-Becker, Councilman Robin Smith.