We are in uncharted territory. We don't know how this pandemic will play out, and neither do the experts. One thing is certain, this does have the ability to significantly affect our community, our farm business, and our members. Some basic planning will help us keep on track as we go forward.

Also, as we do our planning, keep in mind a quote from Mark Twain.

The virus behaves like a cold or flu. In fact, it's in the family of viruses that cause half of all human colds. Unfortunately, it's more aggressive than typical cold and flu, and drives deeper into the throat and lungs. There is no treatment beyond "rest and plenty of fluids", as it's a virus, and can only be cured after our bodies create enough antibodies to corral the invading virus particles.

We don't have a lot of items coming from China or distant places, so we are not affected much. However, we could certainly expect to see delays in shipments as labor disruptions occur in the warehouse and delivery service areas.

We will examine our inventory and make sure we are ready to proceed into the coming growing season.

• Masks - we have enough N95 masks on hand for barn cleaning, safety, and if needed, transmission prevention.
• Gloves - we have enough disposables (rubber gloves) for oil changes, chemical handling, and if needed, transmission prevention. We will double our standard inventory of re-usable washable gloves that are used for farm work, which can also be used, if needed, for transmission prevention. They are washable so they can be washed in normal bleach sanitized washing machine loads along with our normal drying towels.
• Bleach - we have 6 gallons on hand. Enough for laundry and sanitation.
• Strawberry boxes - inventory and order now.
• Trays and buckets - inventory and order if needed.
• CSA boxes - inventory and order now.
• Gasoline and Diesel - order in next 2 weeks.

If the outbreak gathers steam, people will avoid public areas. They will tend to avoid optional trips like dining out or clothes shopping, making only required trips to places selling necessities like the grocery store and household mechandise store.

We do home delivery, so that will be unaffected, unless some sort of community lockdown is ordered. And even then, it is likely that delivery services will be allowed to continue.

We are probably looking at a recession, where some segments, like travel and entertainment are most affected. We provide a necessity, food, so we will be less impacted. However, members income may be affected by work disruptions. Economic downturn could also affect members income.

All of us workers on the farm could become sick at some point, or have family members that get sick. At the same time, we want to keep working before that time, or after that time.

We have the advantage that we do not have occasional workers that come and go. Most of us work year-round (including our 3 high schoolers that come after school each day), so we can keep track our team's overall health status.

Like cold and flu, an individual could become sick several days prior to showing symptoms. So, the standard approach is to assume a worker is contagious, and work to prevent transmission. Transmission is mainly by small droplets from coughing or sneezing, and by touching hard dry surfaces that have been contaminated. The virus does not last long on moist organic surfaces like vegetables or wash tables. Like other cold and flu viruses, it can stay viable for 24 hours on dry hard surfaces.

The virus does not remain viable on dry hard surfaces more than 24 hours, and much less so on organic, moist surfaces like vegetables or wash tables.

We currently clean and pack vegetables the day before packing. This is sufficient to prevent any transmission.

We will make sure any boxes picked up from members are held out at least 24 hours before being used again.

If schools are cancelled, and work disrupted, and people need to avoid public places - "cabin fever" is going to set in. Fortunately, summer is coming so we can be outside. And open spaces, like parks and trails will be great places to go for an escape.

"Your Farm" will also be a good place for such an escape.

We will plan to set up a self-guided tour, where you and your family can wander around the farm. We will add some simple activities and picnic areas where you can spend time with your kids.