Desert Messenger

6 www.DesertMessenger.com March 4, 2020 DESERT MESSENGER Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper Proud to be a Quartzsite Licensed Business 928-916-4235 O� T��� - E���� T���! Founded by Walt Akin October 1, 2004 P�������� �� P���� R��� P��������� C�. P.O. Box 3185 Quartzsite, AZ 85359 P�������� ����� � ����� 1st & 3rd Wednesday Sept. thru May with Special Summer Editions June, July & August EDITOR/PUBLISHER Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear CONTRIBUTING JOURNALIST Joanne Winer GUEST COLUMNIST Gypsy Jane Finley CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Starr BearCat NAME PLATE LETTERING Paul Winer www.DesertMessenger.com www.MyQuartzsite.com E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com 2018 © Copyright All Rights Reserved Copyright 2013 Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Desert Messenger. LIKE US on Facebook.com/ DesertMessengerNews FOLLOW US on Twitter @QuartzsiteRain Neighborhood Watch to meet Quartzsite Neighborhood Watch meets the fi rst Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM. The next meeting will be THURSDAY, MARCH 5TH, 2020, at the Community Center. For more information contact the Quartzsite Police Department at 928-927- 4644. By Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear LETTERS TO EDITOR POLICY Desert Messenger encourages letters from its readers. Letters should be no longer than 300 words, and may be edited for grammar, content and length. OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THOSE OF THE DESERT MESSENGER. We invite you to not only see a problem, but search for the solution to share with the com- munity, keeping the benefit of all in mind. Letters considered libelous, in poor taste, on a personal issue, mean spirited or dominated by Scripture quotes will not be published. Third party letters will not be accepted. To avoid confusion over people with common or similar names, writers must provide a full name and indicate the name they are known by. Writers must provide a full street address and phone number. Rvers can provide the loca- tion of park/BLM land, etc. Street addresses will not be published. Phone numbers are for verification only and will not be printed. Mail letters to: Desert Messenger, P.O. Box 3185, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 or E-mail to Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 DEADLINE : WED. MARCH 11 TH for the March 18 th edition Desert Messenger News Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com So... I've been researching the CO- VID-19 (novel coronavirus) since early January. Believe me, I know that sometimes I can be a "Polly- anna;" always looking on the bright side, focusing on gratitude, fi nding a teaching moment in times of trou- ble. But when I learned what the World Health Organization (WHO) was reporting about the virus, I was feeling a bit uneasy. Not necessarily worrying that I might actually get sick, but concerned about how our government would react or not react to the health crisis evolving across the globe. And then markets began showing their concerns for how this virus could affect the economy. Just yesterday, my daughter drove hours for a law enforcement training, only to learn enroute that the facility was shut down due to an employee contracting the virus. Maybe my optimism rubbed off on her, as she decided to go explore the wilderness area before heading home. Yes, our family knows how to make lemons into lemonade! I am now receiving daily briefi ngs from WHO and regional updates when available. After watching Gov. Ducey and VP Pence's media brief- ings yesterday, my sense of security was feeling questioned. Then on their website, the CDC issued updates for schools, mass gatherings, health care settings, fi rst responders, etc. with some very interesting details at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavi- rus/2019-ncov/community. I will be keeping folks updated on the latest information Desert Mes- senger's Facebook page and Twitter account. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets and encourage you to do the same. We all know this, but just a remind- er to limit spread of any disease: Wash your hands for 20 seconds, don't go to work if you're feeling ill, use hand sanitizer, cough into your elbow or tissue, limit handshakes for a while, avoid touching mouth/ eyes/nose. If you have fever, cough and dif- fi culty breathing, seek medical care early. It is up to each of us to be part of the solution to stop the spread of the virus. It Is Not Too Late, You Can Donate to the Food Bank Instead of Paying Your AZ Taxes The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit is a wonderful opportunity for YOU and Friends of the Quartzsite Food Bank (FQFB.) YOU choose to pay the state or donate to FQFB –Up to $400 for individuals and $800 for couples! Qualifying Charitable Organization Code 21044 for AZ tax form 321 and info https://azdor.gov/tax- credits You can donate up to April 15 and use on this year's AZ taxes. When leaving this year donate your canned and boxed food to us at 40 N Moon Mountain Ave. Tues & Thurs 8-noon or drop off at the Horizon Community Bank, Road- runner Market, Dollar General or Coyote Fresh Foods. Help us help people who need a hand up in Quartzsite. Donate at QuartzsiteFoodBank. com or mail a check and making it out to: Friends of the Quartzsite Food Bank, PO Box 4671, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 For more info call 480-286-8373. Thank you from FQFB and all our hard-working volunteers. Not too late to donate "Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that's very important for good health." ~ Dalai Lama

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