County message clear: maintain safe practices

As we watch the data hoping for better news, it’s important to not falter with social distancing.

Last week we were warned that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic was about to arrive, and indeed it has. The number of cases and deaths keeps growing.

That’s certainly the case in Montgomery County. Since the first cases were reported here March 7, we have witnessed a steady rise in the numbers reported publicly each day by county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh.

Last week’s number of cases continued to multiply with a rising number of deaths. At the start of this week, there were 2,023 cases in the county, and 91 people have died. Even as Montgomery County has been among the hardest hit in Pennsylvania, the numbers still seem small compared with New Jersey and New York and even nearby Philadelphia.

Public health officials in Pennsylvania and elsewhere say there are signs that we’re at the peak of the pandemic and that things should start to settle down soon thanks to social distancing practices. There will still be more cases, but the rate of increase should decline.

We look forward to seeing more encouraging numbers, but it’s imperative that people not allow good news to make them complacent. Doctors and scientists are adamant that the situation could quickly take another turn for the worse if people let down their guard prematurely.

Arkoosh continues to remind county residents of the importance of social distancing. And she leads the charge with daily reminders to those who are tempted to violate directives to stay home and avoid gatherings.

Going for a walk, run or bike ride with someone from your own household is acceptable exercise: Joining a pickup basketball game is not. In fact, municipalities have had to remove the rims from outdoor courts to prevent the impromptu gatherings. She has also threatened to close county trails if people congregate in parking lots or near facilities.

Arkoosh issues daily reminders with the numbers, and when those numbers start decreasing, we are confident those reminders won’t stop. In fact, that’s when the region might be most vulnerable if people allow themselves a breather.

We’re also pleased to see neighboring Berks County launch the “Do Your Part —

Stop the Spread” campaign.

Right now much of the conversation is focusing on when and how to loosen restrictions and resume normal economic activity. We hope and pray that can happen as soon as possible, but in the meantime it’s imperative that people continue to do what they have been doing since mid-March: Stay home if possible, and take steps to protect themselves and others when it’s necessary to go out in public.

The message remains:

• Stay at home as much as possible.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Wash your hands vigorously with soap and water multiple times a day.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Clean surfaces in your home and office regularly.

• Practice social distancing.

• Wear a cloth mask when going out in public.

• Support businesses that implement healthy standards and avoid businesses that ignore these precautions.

• Call on state leaders to change the focus away from deciding what businesses are opened or closed and instead enforce meaningful health and safety standards.

For the most part, the residents and businesses of our region have done well in following these rules, and that has helped keep the numbers down.

Many of those businesses that are operating through the pandemic are taking steps to minimize crowds and avoid direct contact between customers and employees.

Restaurants are relying more on contactless delivery or curbside pickup. More supermarkets are limiting the number of people allowed inside at once and regulating traffic within the store to further encourage social distancing.

But as officials have noted, there are businesses that don’t seem to taking this as seriously as others. It’s particularly troubling to see uncomfortably large crowds allowed to gather. County officials have stressed the importance of reminding managers, employees and customers to focus on following the urgent health protocols.

Better times are ahead, if only everyone focuses on what needs to be done.