As I sit at home safely with my family, watching the updates from our county leadership on COVID-19, I am so grateful for the proactive planning by Dr. Gary Pace, our department heads, law enforcement, healthcare workers, the County Administrative Office and the supervisors.

When Dr. Pace first came to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 4 to give an update, there were six cases in California. Although the information on the virus was still unclear, he was already "putting the pieces in place" to "slow the spread" in our community.

Two months later, the aggressive shelter in place order and closures that he mandated are working, our healthcare system has gotten the critical time needed to prepare for what is coming, and we have slowed the infection rate by staying home.

The economic burden is substantial, Joel and I are feeling it with our business, as with so many other Americans.

Watching the governor of New York wish that they had been able to "get in front of the virus" clarifies that this is quite simply about saving lives.

Through the many challenges we have faced together, we have all found comfort in the videos from Sheriff Brian Martin and now Dr. Gary Pace. They speak for the county, but we appreciate the calm, compassionate, transparent and candid delivery of these updates.

We have an exceptional, disaster-tested team in place, leading us through this crisis, and I applaud all who are working tirelessly to lessen COVID-19's impact on Lake County.

At last week's virtual town hall meeting, Dr. Pace asked each of us to continue making the difficult personal sacrifices for the good of our society.

We are making a difference, and hopefully, changing the trajectory of this pandemic locally.

There is no better way to show support and gratitude to those on the frontlines than to continue staying home.

Jessica Pyska is a business owner and educator who lives with her family in Cobb, California. She is a candidate in this year’s race for District 5 supervisor.