The Easter Bunny’s an essential worker in one Pierce County town. The Tooth Fairy, too
Like a theater production with no script to follow, America is stuck in a tragic historical scene in which governors, White House advisers and infectious disease experts occupy center stage.
By comparison, small-city mayors and other local government officials might seem like bit players in the ongoing COVID-19 drama. Their role is to enforce other leaders’ public-health guidelines and orders, a largely thankless task.
But they’ve also built a reservoir of community trust and familiarity needed to carry out this deadly serious business — and to keep things light when the occasion calls for it.
Say, by declaring the Easter Bunny to be an essential worker during a global pandemic.
Today we give a tip of the hat to South Sound mayors. They keep roads, utilities, police patrols and other local government services running during Gov. Jay Inslee’s weeks-long “stay home, stay healthy” order. They’re instrumental in helping tamp down a contagion that’s infected nearly 1,000 Pierce County residents and killed 20, as of Monday.
They’re also a direct conduit to concerns bubbling up in neighborhoods. Am I allowed to walk my dog on the city’s busy recreation path? What’s the best way to support local businesses? Do I have to pay my full water bill? Why aren’t cops busting kids at the skate park?
Gig Harbor Mayor Kit Kuhn is one example of a hands-on mayor during the coronavirus shutdown. He’s faithfully holds twice-weekly internet question-and-answer sessions. A longtime local jeweler, Kuhn is a steady presence for his community, and though he doesn’t know all the answers, he points out where to find them.
For a walk on the lighter side, consider Orting Mayor Joshua Penner. Late last week, he issued a proclamation declaring a “State of Celebration” in his Puyallup Valley city of 8,400 residents.
This wasn’t a one-off recognition of the Easter holiday. Penner’s proclamation identifies several “magical entities” — the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, leprechauns, dragons and Santa Claus — and says they’re immune to the coronavirus; therefore, they’re able to safely share their special powers with the good people of Orting, kids and adults alike.
Delivering and hiding decorated eggs? Check. Exchanging lost teeth for cash and prizes? Check. Hiding pots of gold, embodying good luck and granting three wishes? Check, check and check.
“Furthermore,” the proclamation concludes, “these magical entities, being deemed essential, are from this day forward encouraged to continue spreading joy in our communities.”
Signed by the mayor of Orting on April 10, 2020. Effective immediately. Available to any city that believes in magic.
A governor probably couldn’t get away with a gesture of pure whimsy at a time like this. A small-town mayor? Different story.
In the weeks ahead, there will be lots of time for Penner and other local officials to focus on the serious matters at hand. This week, the Orting City Council is set to act on an ordinance allowing police to crack down on chronic, flagrant violators of the governor’s emergency orders.
But it’s refreshing that a mayor would take time out for levity, nice that he’d offer a touchstone of simpler times and innocence lost.
A little magic could go a long way right now. Many Americans would welcome a few coins from a pot of gold. And all of us could make good use of three wishes.