Dear neighbor,
I write to you this week with mixed emotions, sadness and hope. I am sad for our family who lost a wonderful man to COVID-19. Jeff Rigelman, husband to my cousin Louise, lost his fight to the virus early this week leaving behind a hurting but united family and circle of friends. I ask for your prayers for them and for everyone who has lost someone to this horrible disease. We are all hurting from this experience in our own ways.
As for my hopefulness, our state continues a downward trend in deaths and new cases requiring hospitalization. As a result, the governor has updated his Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation by imposing new guidance on elective surgeries and allowing Washington State Parks to begin reopening next week. Additionally, private construction has also been allowed to resume so long as it complies with certain safety and health restrictions.