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Technology is helping bring people and ideas together even as social distancing has become the norm in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The latest example was an hour-long remote panel discussion conducted on the Zoom video conferencing platform in La Conner Thursday afternoon.

Town, school and civic leaders logged on to share ways in which they are moving forward in the midst of a pandemic that has ground the economy to a halt.

One theme that emerged is those not laid off or furloughed at present are actually working harder outside their former job descriptions to deliver essential local services.

“Our staff are working more and differently than before,” said La Conner Superintendent of Schools Dr. Whitney Meissner, who organized and moderated the video format. “Our staff is working long hours desperately trying to connect with each student.

With campuses closed through the end of the school year, the La Conner faculty is having to re-design education in the moment, she said.

“Despite the fact it’s complicated,” said Meissner said, “we’re doing it.”

She said teachers are having to readjust lesson plans, swapping face-to-face instruction for on-line learning programs, take-home paper assignments, and phone contacts.

“Teachers are having to do their jobs in a completely different way,” she said.

At Town Hall, staff is working remotely from home and with rotating shifts in the office, Town Administrator Scott Thomas said.

“That allows us to get essential work done,” he said.

Town Hall, like schools and other public offices, is closed while the statewide “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” mandate is in effect.

Thomas said a prime focus for Town staff is crafting a financial plan to address anticipated COVID-related revenue shortfalls.

“We’re trying to figure out budgets for next year,” he said, “and how to get out of this is quite a challenge. The struggle is trying to figure out how long we’re planning for.

“We’re trying to figure out how hard we’ll be hit,” Thomas added. “We’re hoping this is over quickly, but that doesn’t seem likely.”

La Conner Library Foundation Executive Director Susan Macek said much behind-the-scenes work is being done during the present down time.

She said staff has been beefing up the library website, promoting the Washington Anytime Library program, which makes more than 50,000 titles available for download, and on Monday welcomed new library director Jared Fair.

“We’re not open to the public right now,” said Macek, “but we’re getting work done we might not ordinarily have had time to do.”

The pandemic has created some uncertainties, she allowed.

“We’re not sure how our budget is going to be affected,” said Macek, adding that “we’re trying to figure out how the lengthy shutdown will impact the new library project.”

The long-awaited La Conner-Swinomish Regional Library is scheduled to break ground this year.

“It’s a bit of a tentative time,” said Macek.

La Conner Sunrise Food Bank has shifted to curbside pick-up as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, said its director, Michelle Havist, who is also general manager of the Weekly News. Havist said about half of the food bank’s volunteer corps is remaining home out of COVID-19 concerns while the number of households served each week has increased from between 100-120 to over 140.

“That’s quite a big jump for us,” she said. “It’s been an interesting run for us the past four weeks and we’ve completely changed our operation.”

She said keeping up with demand for dairy products is not easy, but that the food bank has begun working with Costco to help supplement that area.

Havist and food bank treasurer Linda Adams said many local residents and entities, including the Swinomish Tribal Community, have reached out in support of the food bank.

Adams said the food bank also enjoyed a successful winter fundraiser, prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

“We’ve been able to set aside money for a rainy day,” she said. “Our immediate needs are not great. We can meet the needs of our clients in the short-term. We’re okay. We’re doing well. But I think there’s a wave coming.”

Swinomish Education Director Michael Vendiola said essential tribal services continue to be delivered with a much smaller workforce.

“There are less people to do the same amount of work, and not in their normal work, all across the tribe,” Vendiola said. “They are covering a lot of different things.

“With the (Swinomish) Stay at Home order,” he added, “the buildings are closed. Some activities are going on, but it’s a lot different now.”

Within the education department, where Vendiola said there are “a lot of moving parts,” the staff “is looking for ways to support teachers and students.”

The most visible of those is the twice-weekly delivery of school breakfasts and lunches.

Vendiola said he is doing much of his work remotely, from Lummi, in Whatcom County.

La Conner Chamber of Commerce Director Heather Carter said she, too, is turning more to on-line communication with the local visitors center closed. Carter noted that visual tours of La Conner and nearby tulip fields are being utilized.

“We’re just trying to let everyone know it’s important to be creative and utilize social media,” she said.

Carter echoed the sentiments of other video conferees.

“I’m actually busier than ever with the shutdown,” she said. “I’ve had multiple Zoom meetings.”

And it’s likely more are to come in the days and weeks ahead.