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Here's a quick thread about local journalism that won't make it into the paper but is the kind of thing happening all the time — even in COVID-induced work-from-home newsrooms. 1/
A guy, David, had concerns about a Sacramento senior center his sister lives in. Lower-income. Mid-size. Accommodates people with disabilities.
David's sister told him almost overnight management was relaxing their coronavirus prevention efforts. Fewer masks. Minimal distancing.
David's sister told him almost overnight management was relaxing their coronavirus prevention efforts. Fewer masks. Minimal distancing.
David was alarmed.
He tried calling the county, but was on hold for hours and gave up. He didn't feel comfortable calling the building supervisor for fear of repercussions against his sister.
So he reached out to @sacbee_news.
"It seems no one at county health cares."
He tried calling the county, but was on hold for hours and gave up. He didn't feel comfortable calling the building supervisor for fear of repercussions against his sister.
So he reached out to @sacbee_news.
"It seems no one at county health cares."
I called him and we talked for about 20 minutes earlier this week. I said I'd ask around and see if I could figure anything out.
He sounded unconvinced.
He sounded unconvinced.
I called the building and was told by a manager "I do everything I'm told." He wouldn't say what that meant.
He told me to call corporate, but not in a normal "call corporate" way. It was ... cryptic. And defensive?
Then he said to call back later.
(I did, and got voicemail.)
He told me to call corporate, but not in a normal "call corporate" way. It was ... cryptic. And defensive?
Then he said to call back later.
(I did, and got voicemail.)
I called today and was, again, shadily told that he followed orders but wouldn't say what that meant for protecting seniors.
After a tense/terse back-and-forth, he told me he'd call back because he had a resident in front of him and didn't want to discuss safety in earshot(?)
After a tense/terse back-and-forth, he told me he'd call back because he had a resident in front of him and didn't want to discuss safety in earshot(?)
5 mins later, he did. Along with a supervisor. I again explained and was assured cleanings, precautions haven't changed in weeks. They'll look into anything to the contrary etc.
I also got a name and number to the guy in charge. NBD to you or me.
To David, it was the world.
I also got a name and number to the guy in charge. NBD to you or me.
To David, it was the world.
I called David back.
He was surprised to hear from me. He was ecstatic that the facility now knew someone was watching.
And he was borderline speechless that I gave him a phone number to reach someone big and in charge. Just in case.
He was surprised to hear from me. He was ecstatic that the facility now knew someone was watching.
And he was borderline speechless that I gave him a phone number to reach someone big and in charge. Just in case.
We talked for another 20 mins. About COVID, masks, Sacramento, 100,000 deaths, and why some people take risks more seriously than others.
About newspapers and truth.
About his family's exposure to COVID and the death of a local glass worker he'd come to know as "Big Guy."
About newspapers and truth.
About his family's exposure to COVID and the death of a local glass worker he'd come to know as "Big Guy."
David told me he's 72 and has lung problems. He volunteers at museums. He paused for a solid 30 seconds as we spoke, apparently holding back tears.
"I'm really scared."
"I'm really scared."
Then he thanked me repeatedly for taking the time to talk. We'd be in touch if things at his sister's place take a turn for the worse. Or if he had other thoughts to share. He has my cell now. And I have his.
Giant impact journalism is super important and what we all love to do.
But sometimes — even now — there's small work to be done every day.
If you're able, please help us keep doing it.
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Donate: https://givebutter.com/sacbee
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But sometimes — even now — there's small work to be done every day.
If you're able, please help us keep doing it.
Subscribe: https://account.sacbee.com/subscribe/create?param=fHpHCEs=&offer=NmEfaxcUb3lSCUJAfRJAdCA9GRsnakNCdXpAG15QPgoUG0hQeHNDAENAb29STx0HLisVS1BIbxAxektLfA4%2FGw8%3D&cid=soc_employee-cta-jpohl-news_201901
Donate: https://givebutter.com/sacbee
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