In times of darkness, city’s character has shined brightly
Councilman David Ryu
This week we passed the one-month mark on our Safer at Home mandate, and I know that many are wondering if we’ll ever be able to return to some form of normalcy. These have been incredibly challenging times, both for those who have tragically lost loved ones, and for those who have lost jobs, income, or fear that they’ll lose their homes. Even the smaller losses that we experience every day feel significant — missing the friendly faces of our neighbors, or the routines we’ve lost, like going to the movies or grabbing dinner with friends. We long for the world we knew, and it can often feel like this time apart will never end.
But this difficult time will pass. We might not know when, but there are some things we know for certain. We know that we are strong, we are adaptable, and we are resilient. We know that Angelenos snapped into action as soon as things got tough, and they stepped up to help their neighbors. Every day I’m heartened to see the amount of kindness and generosity that surrounds us.
We’ve seen community members form mask sewing groups and outreach programs to make sure that all of their neighbors have what they need to shelter in place. Restaurants have opened their doors to workers in need of food, and volunteers have worked tirelessly to distribute produce bags to vulnerable seniors. And in the true spirit of Los Angeles, we’ve seen unexpected partnerships and innovations take shape. I’m proud to support a partnership between the Original Farmers Market and the First-in-Fire Foundation, a local nonprofit supporting the Los Angeles Fire Department. Through this partnership, the Original Farmers Market is providing fresh cooked meals to our local first responders, who have been working around the clock to keep us safe during this pandemic.
We need to ensure that no one is left behind during this emergency. We know that our seniors are vulnerable not just to COVID-19, but to isolation and the inability to get the basic essentials. Older adults are often sheltering at home alone, and may not have any family nearby. We also know that loneliness can be as dangerous to our health as major risk factors like obesity and smoking. We may be apart during this challenging time, but no one should feel alone. I was thrilled this week to announce the launch of a Senior Outreach Program that pairs local volunteers with seniors who have asked for assistance getting essentials, or for virtual social calls. If you’d like to get involved, you can learn more at: davidryu.lacity.org/senior_resources or give us a call at 213-473-7004.
I know you’ve heard a million people say this, but we are in this together. It’s only by standing together that we’ll beat this pandemic, and we’re strongest when we lift each other up. They say that character is what you are in the dark, and I think we can all agree that in this time of darkness, Los Angeles’ character has shined brightly.
Category: News
