New Members: Getting to Know You!

I suppose that the meeting started on time, but my timing was off, so let’s assume we all stood at 7:31 to wish a Happy Hello to President Pam Moulton.

If we can go along with the intro to these notes, then it wouldn’t be impossible to consider that someone other than Pres Pam or the scribe, gave us an opportunity to face the flag and recite the pledge.

There was a Board Meeting last night and President Pam gave us a rundown of all the important points which were discussed. She talked a bit about all the ways our club has been involved with the community recently: Bell Ringing in memory of Dick Bishop for the Salvation Army, the luncheon at Veterans’ Village, and the Windsor Holiday Food & Toy Drive. Wow, we’ve been busy!

When it comes to singing, there are so many voices that should be recognized, whether off key, baritone, or soprano. Having a singing club starts the day with a burst of energy. Today, it was JB, telling us a few fun facts about Jingle Bells and then we sang it.

Can we really just consider one Rotary moment after a full year of company and friendship with one another? Probably not. Let’s just take a moment to think of your personal Rotary moment for the past year. It could be the moment you’ve been waiting for.

Considering I (Tom Boylan) am writing this bulletin the day before the meeting, it is difficult to describe the introductions of guests, but considering all the new members we have, let’s just call any visitors future Rotarians and we will have covered the lot. Actually, I just remembered that Bill Bolster introduced our new outgoing Youth Exchange student, Rebecca Mortensen, who will hopefully be coming to many meetings in the coming months. Congratulations, Rebecca!

Visiting Rotarians would be nice, but I sense most Rotarians are busy with last minute Holiday Shopping and so we had none today. Meeting at 7:30 AM allows us an early run to the last-minute stores that are amply available.

I know I heard we are breaking into small groups today, the same group that was assigned an Adopt A Family a couple of weeks ago. What fun it was to know that the gift cards we collected, and the toys that were brought to the Annual Windsor Rotary Christmas Party will find a home. I sense that no child will know that the squishy doll they are holding was actually bought for Leslie Lewis. It was kind of a senior medical thing. 

We had lots of lively conversations at our tables and then one spokesperson from each table shared a tidbit that emerged from their spirited interactions. We were told to go around the table and cover 3 topics in 4 minutes each: (1) What brought us to join Rotary?, (2) What will keep us engaged with Rotary over the next year?, and (3) What are your dreams for the coming year? Lots of energy in the room! Thank you, new members, for sharing your ideas with President Pam and your willingness to become an integral part of our wonderful group! 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

DIANE’S COVID UPDATE:

FIRST CASE OF OMNICRON DIAGNOSED IN SONOMA COUNTY!  EPIDEMIOLOGISTS WARN AGAINST SURGE OF COVID AND A TOUGH WINTER AHEAD!   If you have not gotten your booster, please find an appointment and get one now to protect yourself.    Also consider getting your flu shot and encourage those you know who have not been vaccinated, to get theirs now.

STATE is now requiring masks to be worn indoors.   This mask mandate was put back into place because the per capita rate of new coronavirus cases has jumped 47% in the past 2 weeks!   This means that anyone, regardless of vaccination status must be wearing a mask in all public indoor venues.  California has also mandated testing requirements for 1000 or more people attending indoor events to have a negative test within 1-2 days  before the event.   The State is also recommending travelers who visit or return to California to get tested within 5 days of their arrival and the Federal government is imposing stricter regulations for testing when flying.

We do remain vulnerable to the coronavirus with more travel happening, large gatherings occurring because of the holidays and people letting down their guard.    
If you want to schedule either a booster or the vaccine, appointments can be found by visiting:  https://socoemergency.org/events/category/pop-up-vaccine or call 707-565-4667.

Total Cases:        44,091   (last week 43,571)           Recovered:    42,253   (last week 41,924)             Active Cases: 1422   (last week 1231)        ***Please note this increase in one week!!!!  We continue to climb***

Deaths:                416   (last week 414)    Please continue to honor those we have lost by encouraging those you know who have not become vaccinated, to get their COVID shot, get a booster and their flu shot. 
                                                                                                Help us stop the surge and keep our residents safe….

New Cases:         520 new cases this past week   (last week 475)

Hospitalized:        30 confirmed and 5 suspected    (last week 28 confirmed and 3 suspected)      

Vaccination information….  As of Dec. 19th, 885,527  doses of vaccination have been given to residents in Sonoma County. (last week 863,288).   76% of our population 5 years and older  (5-11 year olds have now been approved and are counted in the population vaccinated or not)  are fully vaccinated and approximately 8% have received at least 1 dose.     Providers in Sonoma County are giving shots to our 5-11 year olds and are also providing Boosters for anyone over 18, but we are not seeing large numbers seeking vaccinations yet. 

There are now new requirements on testing before flying – our government has mandated within 24 hrs of a flight and more countries are requiring testing to travel in or out.    If you are traveling, please ensure you check with your airlines to see what the requirements are before you leave.    We continue to see breakthrough cases of COVID, but most people who have been diagnosed with a breakthrough are either asymptomatic (which means they are infectious and can spread it without knowing) or are mildly sick.   This is an indication of how well the vaccines are working.   The State is also suggesting that anyone traveling when you return to test 5 days after your return.   

If you have not gotten a booster and are in a group that can, it is highly recommended to give your immune system a boost.  Also get your Flu vaccine as we do not want citizens coming down with the flu.   This not only compromises their immune systems, but can also weaken their lungs.  We need to keep our beds hospital beds free to those really sick and help our limited medical staff ready to help those with COVID and not have our county  residents admitted with the flu.

So, as we begin to celebrate the Holidays, please continue to wear your masks, be aware of your surroundings and even outside, if you are in crowded situations, mask up!   Please remember, if you are in a meeting indoors, remove your mask only to eat and drink and then replace it immediately!    Try to avoid large groups during this holiday season but if you are inside with a group of people, mask up!    Be aware of others around you and mask up when you are not eating or drinking, unless you are with your immediate family or your extended “bubble”.     Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer and take precautions.    The Delta variant is still out there, we now have Omnicron and means we need to be careful while trying to live our lives.   Help protect the ones you love!   And from our family to yours, have a safe and wonderful Christmas.

Thanks

Di