172536_CPCA_2020_Spring Magazine - Final | Page 22
The COVID-19 Coverup
By: Jennifer Gonzales
Captain – Napa Police Department
In an everchanging world where community members are fighting for toilet paper paired with a high level
of COVID-19 pandemic fear, we found our calm in a displaced small business owner.
The City of Napa has always had a hometown feel for the
people who live here. Just visit us on the Fourth of July to
see how we celebrate unity. Sure, we are fortunate to be a
world-renowned vacation destination, but we also know that what
makes our town a desirable place to be, our hardworking and engaged
community. Residents know our officers by name, which is a direct
result of our officers working hard to build community relationships.
many other small business owners, found herself with a vacant store
as she was doing her part to flatten the COVID-19 curve. Like many
of her creative partners, she couldn’t sit back and watch the world
struggle in this growing pandemic. She wanted to do something to
help and had the skills to do so.
When COVID-19 hit the San Francisco Bay Area, we quickly learned
of several officers in neighboring counties who were infected. Like
agencies across the nation, we were scrambling to equip our officers
with adequate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). As these life
protecting resources became less available, fears increased about an
unknown, unseen worldwide growing pandemic.
Who knew the power of a single sewing machine could become the
answer to help mitigate our fears?
Meet Molly Silcox, owner and operator of Nostalgia of Napa, a
quaint antique and décor store in downtown Napa. She is busiest
when we have a bustling downtown...or so we thought! She, like
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