I hope you’re healthy and safe.
This was not the spring that any of us expected, but unfortunately this is the spring that we’ve got.
“Normal life” is on hold. For the moment there is no business as usual.
I’m working from home here in Corolla, but there are hundreds of people in the county (and millions across the nation) working to keep us safe behind the scenes and on the front lines.
They keep the power, water and internet running. They keep the supermarkets and pharmacies open. They deliver our packages and collect our trash. They patrol our streets and put out fires.
They are there for us in ambulances, emergency rooms and hospitals.
To say that we're thankful is an understatement.
We couldn’t manage this without them.
And we couldn’t manage this without each other.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “community.” It feels bigger and more powerful than ever before.
Maybe you’ve felt it too?
Connection matters.
I’ve felt it in calls, texts and emails from family and friends. I've felt it in the constant stream of announcements and updates across social media. Knowing that we are all experiencing this together is reassuring and inspiring.
People are finding creative ways to reach out, proving that just because we're isolated doesn’t mean that we have to be disconnected.
They're finding ways to help, educate or just entertain.
I'm going to leave the entertaining to the stand-up comedians, musicians and late-night talks show hosts (trust me, you'll sleep better tonight knowing that I'm not accepting dance challenges on TikTok).
When it comes to communication, I'm a fan of the old school.
Some young people might not be aware of this, but there's a function on our pocket computers that allows us to SPEAK to other human beings.
It's not an app or an Instagram filter. It's actually a pretty big part of the device.
You touch some numbers and... zing! Next thing you know, two people are talking.
Easy peasy.
Here are my numbers: (252) 232-6015
Like most of you, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, so why not reach out?
I'd love to hear from you.
If you're a Currituck County business owner looking for help with getting through this crisis, I'll do everything I can to get you answers and assistance.
But it doesn't have to be business related.
Just want to check in? Got some good news to share? Give me a call.
Keep in mind that I’m not a doctor, a scientist, a therapist or a philosopher. But I've got lots of stories, a go-to collection of bad jokes and a couple of thoughts about what's wrong with major league baseball.
I look forward to talking with you.
And my wife is REALLY excited about me talking to someone else for a change.
Take care of yourself, take care of others and thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Larry Lombardi
Director of Economic Development
Some important links to keep handy:
Currituck County COVID-19 Updates
North Carolina Department of Health
