Reality sets in: It’s not fake news or a conspiracy

Now what? We closed the schools. We shut down “non-essential” businesses, whatever the definition of that is. Movie theaters went dark. Bars and restaurants were quiet, even on St. Patrick’s Day, one of the biggest party nights of the year.

Hell, we’ve even shut down the state stores. Excuse us, the Fine Wine and Good Spirits Stores.

We are practicing “social distancing,” keeping at least 6 feet between us.

We are — finally — apparently avoiding large public gatherings. That’s as opposed to the shameful behavior of so many of us last weekend, when we seemingly turned a deaf ear to all the experts and simply went about business as usual. Bars and restaurants were packed.

It’s clear many of us have a different definition of “essential” as opposed to “non-essential.”

Gov. Tom Wolf, who first shut down the schools, then took aim at “non-essential” businesses. He “urged” them to close down in the wake of the withering advance of the coronavirus and the COVID-19 illness it brought with it.

Finally, he put some bark behind his bite. Seizing on the authority in his emergency disaster declaration, he ordered all restaurants and bars to eliminate all sit-down service — take-out and delivery only.

To see the reaction across society in the last week has been akin to knocking over the first domino in one of those elaborate displays. The effects rippled across the region and the state.

Many of us are now working from home. We are keeping a safe distance. And we are furiously washing our hands.

The message has finally hit home. Finally. Parking lots of many shopping centers — with the exception of supermarkets and drug stores — are deserted.

There is only one problem. The numbers continue to grow.

Pennsylvania as of Friday was reporting 268 cases of presumptive coronavirus infection. In Montgomery County, there are 59, 17 in Chester County, and 42 in Philadelphia.

Which only underscores what many of the medical and health experts have been telling us, only to be shouted down by those who insist it is all hype, more “fake news,” some kind of conspiracy being foisted upon the gullible by the liberal media, all of it intended to damage the economy and in so doing bring down President Donald Trump.

Funny how some of that tone has eased in the last few days.

Yes, it is bad. Yes, it likely will get worse. And yes, we will get through it.

But it is going to be difficult. Which is why now — more than ever, we need each other.

No, we should not throw a block party. But do check on your neighbors, in particular the elderly.

It’ s time for random acts of kindness. We’re actually detailing some of the efforts in the community to bind us together and help in a time of crisis.

If you have an item you’d like to submit, please send us the details.

No, it’s not “fake news.” Nor is it a hoax. Yes, it is scary. But ignoring the reality only makes it more scary.

We’ll get through this. Together.

Pennsylvania as of Friday was reporting 268 cases of presumptive coronavirus infection. In Montgomery County, there are 59, 17 in Chester County, and 42 in Philadelphia.