From the desk of City Manager Sarah Purdy...
COVID-19 UPDATE
April 29, 2020
Katharine Graham, publisher of The Washington Post from 1963-1991, said of her work “To love what you do and feel that it matters – how could anything be more fun?”
The pandemic conditions in which our community is now living gives new meaning to feeling that your work matters. For some, who are designated as “non-essential” and therefore not at work right now, the feeling is one of financial uncertainty and doubt because your job actually does matter. It’s just that a specific definition has been placed on the word “essential” because of the need to flatten the curve.
For others, the feeling of overwhelming stress is prevalent because not only does your work matter, and not only is it essential, but also it is requiring longer hours under unusually heightened risk.
It doesn’t seem like any of this qualifies as the definition of fun. But think again. When work is fun, it means we get satisfaction from performing our jobs. It means we believe in what we are doing. There is no better way to test this belief than through a crisis. There is no better way to affirm this belief than through expressions of appreciation. So, while the hospital workers, the food service workers, the delivery workers, the janitorial workers, the public safety responders, the teachers, the water and sewer fixers, and the countless others work to keep the rest of us going, think about what we can do to show support. The 7 p.m. applause for medical workers in now a tradition in parts of our state. Signs saying “thank you” have appeared around our community. Donations to food drives have been plentiful. Help for civic groups is always welcome. Appreciation can be expressed in many ways in order to keep the fun in accomplishing work that truly does matter.
Be hopeful, stay safe, stay healthy and stay together yet six feet apart. “Take 5 for New York” by calling someone and chatting for five minutes. To access the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department’s information please go to the County’s website at www.stlawco.org . In addition, here are links to several other sources of COVID-19 information that you may find useful.
Department of Labor Cares Act Information
US Small Business Administration
St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency
Governor Cuomo’s Website
New York State Department of Health
Protect Yourself & Stop the Spread of Germs
What You Need to Know
Please revisit this page for important updates from the City of Ogdensburg.
