This is a friendly reminder from your local newspaper that — in the midst of all the other insanity taking place — we are still in the middle of a global pandemic.
Coronavirus has taken a backseat in the headlines lately as protests continue across the nation. But COVID-19 is creeping back into the spotlight as some states have seen worrisome resurgences. Texas, Arizona, Florida and California have seen sudden surges in positive cases and hospitalizations.
Florida reported 8,553 new cases this past week, Texas reported 2,504 and Arizona reported 1,187. California’s hospitalizations are the highest they’ve been since mid-May, and the state had 500 deaths in the past week.
West Virginia has been spared the worst of COVID-19 compared to surrounding states, but we can’t take our hard work — and good luck — for granted. In one week, we’ve had six new deaths and 91 new cases, despite limited testing. Even though businesses and recreational facilities are reopening, we must still take precautions. Wear a mask in public. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer often.
Despite what it looks like, reopened businesses are not exempt from coronavirus precautions. A Cheat Lake restaurant received a visit from the Health Department after it caught wind that servers weren’t wearing masks and patrons weren’t social distancing. The restaurant was warned that if they continued to disregard public health guidelines, the eatery would be closed.
The state is taking the coronavirus seriously. While the virus has slipped into the background of national news, it still lingers in the air we breathe, the surfaces we touch. If we don’t want to see a tidal wave of new cases like other states are experiencing, we have to remain cautious and vigilant.
When you’re out and about and debating wearing a mask, just remember how hard everyone fought to get businesses reopened. We begged and bartered with the government for an opportunity to get life back to “normal(ish).” Some of the people who lost their jobs are getting back to work. Those who languished in their houses for weeks are rediscovering the simple joys of being part of a larger society. But if we refuse to take precautions, we can find ourselves back where we were in March — the state on lockdown, businesses shuttered and unemployment skyrocketing. Let’s not jeopardize this opportunity to get our lives back on track by being stubborn about wearing a mask.
Taking precautions to keep yourself and others safe shouldn’t be seen as a political statement. We as West Virginians have always taken immense pride in the way we care for and help our neighbors. Wearing a mask and washing your hands is just an extension of that famous Mountaineer kindness and hospitality. We’ve already shown the nation how to flatten the curve of coronavirus cases — let’s continue to be a shining example.
Morgantown Area News
'Wednesday, December 25, 2024'
