Good morning PMLE. As the days progress, new, developing and changing information seems to be coming out at a faster pace. We'll add updates here as we feel they are necessary, but I can assure you, with everything going on it won't be as regular as it is right now. Hopefully, the title of this post put a smile on your face, as it was intended.

So, as you are all probably aware by now, Governor Wolf has made a lot of statements, held a lot of pressers, and well, provided us much to ponder and abide by. To date, his stance on things is as follows:

1. School is closed indefinitely. Children will be cyber schooled, until further notice.
2. Any out of state residents who have secondary homes in PA, are demanded to get to their second homes, self quarantine for 14 days, as a service to those around them.
3. Most counties, within PA, are to essentially shelter in place. Meaning stay home, social distancing.
4. All non-essential business has been closed down.
5. You may leave your home for a limited set of circumstances, which this link, expertly provides. Governor Wolf

PMLE would like to remind everyone that if you are traveling, especially out of state to the surrounding areas (NJ and NY are struggling with COVID-19), you are taking unnecessary risks, essentially putting yourself, your family and possibly your neighbors at risk. Please follow the guidelines set forth by the state of Pennsylvania as closely as possible, they are in place for our safety, as well as yours.

On a more personal note, I understand how trying this time is. I wish I had words to offer you that would ease your burden or set your mind at ease. Sadly, I do not. I can say that we, as in humans and neighbors, are in this together. Let's be reminded that some of us are struggling with health issues, financial issues and just the agitation with being cooped up. Some others are dealing with stress from their jobs, because they still work, whether as a part of the health care industry, first responders or in a factory/plant that makes essential health care items. There has been a large amount of pressure put on all of us during this time, including our children. I put this message out to remind all of us that while we may not be friends, we can be friendly. While we may not have dinner together, we can offer you a meal if you need it. Essentially, we need to be a little more understanding that we're all dealing with something. We need to be a little less irritable.

I hope that every single member of PMLE is currently safe, as well as their families, no matter previous transgressions or whether we talk/know each other or not. I implore you to please jump onto PMLE's Facebook page and request help if you need any. You don't have to do it publicly, but you can message any one of the members on that page, and someone will help, if they can. For your sanity, please, take a walk, do some gardening or just have a seat outside and get some fresh air. We all need to stay mentally well, while trying to maintain physical wellness.

Last, but certainly not least, below I've provided some links that you should check, often, to stay up to date with the latest news. There are also phone numbers, should you need them.

Links to Websites/Information:
Governor Wolf Main Site: Link
Centers for Disease Control: Link
FEMA: Link
White House: Link
Delaware Township: Link
Lehman Township: Link

Important Phone Numbers:
Wild Acres Security: 570-828-9052
Pocono Ranchlands Security: 570-828-8228
NPS (National Park Service): 570-426-2457
State Trooper Barracks: 570-226-5718
Emergency: Dial 911

Good afternoon PMLE 5,6,7. This post comes to you hoping that you are doing well, have the necessary supplies you may need to get through these troubling times and can still maintain a sense of humor through it all.

I wanted to make this post to recognize what is going on around us, as well as to provide a few reminders and, well, quite possibly, add some levity to your lives.

As you probably already know, Governor Wolf has enacted a shut down of all Non-Essential/Life Saving business', including schools. The orders consist of people not leaving their homes unless for specific tasks. To read the full extent, please click HERE. This link will take you to the press announcement Governor Wolf has made.

PMLE 5,6,7 recommends following Governor Wolf's instructions as much as possible, where applicable. Do not take unnecessary risks, if not required. We understand that we do have many older community members, and have many neighbors that would lend a hand, where possible. If you need assistance, not medical related, we ask that you please make friends with community members or even go on the PMLE 5,6,7 Facebook page and ask. Many people are willing and able to help out neighbors in need.

With quarantine, comes boredom, cabin fever and general non-sense, from adults and kids alike. The Board of PMLE 5,6,7 works hard to take care of the necessary day to day running of things, fielding complaints, questions, handling realtor requests, balancing accounts, paying bills, etc, but policing the community is all of our jobs. We're typically good about "see something, say something", so let's try to follow that premise. At the end of this post, I'll provide some phone numbers that you should probably have handy in case of any issues.

General Reminders:

1. PMLE 5,6,7 Board Meeting is cancelled for April. Depending on the state of affairs in Pennsylvania and America, in general, we'll re-visit rescheduling the meeting. Just know that at this time, it's not being addressed, as we all have bigger issues to worry about.
   
2. Adults and Kids, need avenues to blow off steam, rather than blow up on, or at each other. We all make mistakes, we all are pent up in our homes and dealing with the stress, agitation associated with this pandemic just the same. Therefore, during these trying times, let's try to live and let live a little.
   
3. Food and Water should be stocked for at least a 2 week period. This isn't just during this pandemic, but that's a general rule of thumb, per FEMA. Disaster can strike anywhere, at any time. So be prepared as much as possible.
   
4. Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene, Home Heating Oil, etc. should be stocked up to keep your house warm and your machinery operational for your normal uses. Please keep Gas/Diesel on hand for your machinery that you may want to use, so that you are limiting your exposure. Ensure you have enough Propane, Kerosene, Home Heating Oil, Wood, Coal and/or pellets for home heating.
   
5. There are currently more people at home during the days/evenings, with most being home and off of work due to the current circumstances. Please keep that in mind.
   
6. Keep your belongings locked up accordingly. Sheds, homes, equipment, etc. More people home, can equate to more shenanigans.
   
7. See something, say something. Post on the Facebook page, call a neighbor, call the police, etc. We are a community and don't have to love, nor like each other, but that doesn't mean we wish other people's belongings stolen or vandalized.
   
8. Stay safe and limit your exposure as much as possible.
   

Important Numbers:
Wild Acres Security: 570-828-9052
National Park Service (NPS) Emergency: 570-426-2457
State Trooper Barracks: 570-226-5718

Important Information Food/Pantry:
For a pretty comprehensive list of Food Pantry's that are helping community's, please go to this Facebook page link: Click Here

On a final note, please stay safe, please ask for help/assistance if you need any and remember to laugh a little. This is a time we could use a ton of laughter.

As many of you are aware, COVID-19, otherwise known as Coronavirus, is rapidly gaining momentum. Countries across the globe are working hard to tackle this issue. Responses are quite vast, in how each country, state, province, etc. has decided to handle it. Pennsylvania is no different. While President Trump issued a National Emergency on COVID-19, as well as declared it a Pandemic, many states are ramping up efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as well. In fact, Governor Wolf declared that all PA Schools are to be closed through March 30th, 2020, as of today's news. That is subject to change, based on spread, increases in cases, etc.

That being said, the Delaware Township building is off use to extracurricular activities, or outside organizations. PMLE 5,6,7 utilizes those building to hold it's quarterly meetings and is affected by this news. However, in lieu of current national spread of COVID-19, the possibility of transmittal, and the age differences of our community members, we agree with this course of action and are canceling our April 18th, Quarterly BoD meeting.

While the by-laws state that the meetings must be held, I'm sure that you all can understand that under the current circumstances, we have much more pressing issues to worry about. We are willing to negotiate with the Township to try and re-schedule the meeting, once this immediate threat is contained.

We do, however, also want our members to understand the gravity of what's happening. Ensuring that they are as safe as possible, and as comfortable as possible. We are providing a few links below so that our members can stay up to date on the latest news, situations, risks, etc.  Delaware Township, has posted an article with comprehensive CDC/National response, which we'll be sharing as a link as well. We encourage you all to review it. We also encourage you all to prepare yourselves for self-quarantine (if needed/applicable), self-reliance, etc.

Immediate Basic Needs & Reminders:

1. Ensure that you have at least 2 weeks of food and water on hand. This doesn't just apply to COVID-19, but is a general rule of thumb, for any disaster that can happen in the Pocono area.
2. Ensure that you have some fuel on hand for  your machinery, generators, etc. in case of a power outage, tree clearing, etc.
3. Ensure that you have enough propane, oil or other fuel required for heating, if needed.
4. Ensure that you have all of your medications/prescriptions filled, if applicable.
5. Have, on hand, a battery powered radio, with fresh batteries, to listen to news events.
6. No school in PA, sometimes means that kids get bored and mischief ensues. This isn't always the case, but can/does happen. Ensure you lock your items up and stay vigilant. Dial 911 as needed.
7. If you have the capability, check on your neighbors.

Pertinent Links:

1. CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/
2. Delaware Township - https://delawaretownshippa.gov/
3. World Health Organization (WHO) - https://www.who.int/
4. White House Press Briefings - https://www.whitehouse.gov/
   

Sincerely,
R. Simonson
PMLE 5,6,7 Board of Directors

That we're going to have an early Spring. While this should be great news, we all know that Mother Nature, here in the Poconos, can do as she pleases. For right now, the weather is warming up, we've got some rain in the forecast, and we're gearing up for another year.

With that said, we have a Spring clean up event that we're hoping to see a lot of faces at. In previous years, we've seen relatively low numbers, but we're hoping that changes this year. Additional details will be provided on that, via our website (here) as well as at our next quarterly board meeting. Stay tuned.