Medical experts worry about "virus fatigue" as we head into the cold winter, CityServe wins a Beautiful Bakersfield award and did you spot the Trump caravan through town this weekend?

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other company or publication.

 * ... CORONAVIRUS: We have all heard the warnings: we are heading into a dark, cold winter where the coronavirus could spike and infect tens of thousands. Do we have the discipline to practice safe protocol?

Or will our "virus fatigue" set in and make us all vulnerable? Before you do anything consider this: the chances of dying from the coronavirus in the United States is 50 times higher than Japan, and 2,000 times greater than dying in Vietnam. That's according to Dr. Brij Bhambi, a founder of Centric Health and a cardiologist with Central Cardiology. At the core is one simple fact: people in many other countries are much more likely to practice safe protocol like wearing masks and keeping a safe distance from others.

 * ... BEAUTIFUL BAKERSFIELD: Hats off to CityServe, the non-profit devoted to helping the neediest among us, for winning the Chairman's Award at the Bakersfield Beautiful Awards this weekend. CityServe operates out of the old Montgomery Ward building on F Street with a mission to helping those who need the most. Over the past year CityServe has helped thousands of Kern County families by partnering with churches across Kern County to distribute food and other household goods to the needy.

 * ... TRUMP TRAIN: Did you catch the Trump train on Saturday? An estimated thousand cars, trucks and motorcycles adorned with American flags and Trump flags wound its way through Bakersfield on Saturday, part of a caravan that started in Fresno and eventually made its way to Los Angeles. It was quite the spectacle and if you are a Trump fan - there was no sweeter sight.

 * ... JESSICA MATHEWS: The executive director of the non-profit League of Dreams, Jessica Mathews, is moving to Idaho Falls with her family within the next month. The good news: Mathews said the Board of the non-profit has agreed to retain Mathews as executive director on a remote basis, meaning she will continue in her role from Idaho. Mathews is largely responsible for the dynamic growth of the organization since its creation, serving hundreds of physically challenged young people by providing safe environments to participate in a variety of sports, including baseball, fencing, basketball and dance.

 

* ... BULKY WASTE: Heads up out there: Kern County Public Works will hold a bulky waste collection event on Saturday, Nov. 7, at three locations about town. Here's a chance to get rid of that old mattress, dresser, and old construction material. It will not collect hazardous waste. Spread the word and maybe we will see less dumping on public roads in the weeks ahead.

 * ... MEMORIES: From the Kern County History Fans Facebook page comes this nugget from back in the day.