Asked about a famous New York nightspot, legendary Yankees baseball player Yogi Berra responded: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
That quote has always been an example of Berra’s often jumbled observations, but today there is some wisdom to be gleaned from it.
We are now almost a week into the state-wide shelter in place order, but we are now only beginning to approach to apex of the COVID-19 virus in our cities, towns and neighborhoods. We all know it is a highly-contagious, potentially deadly virus.
For those who have been diligent in complying with the order and have, as a result, grown weary of the confinement, the shelter order may leave us tempted to get out and explore a bit. We are social animals, after all, and isolation is not something most of us do well.
There are also others for whom the shelter order has been taken more as a shelter suggestion, people who appear to be carrying on as if there are no consequences.
Hopefully, most of us fall into that first group. Yet to all, we remind you that now is not the time to violate this order. Earlier this week, White House COVD-19 Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said even those trips to the grocery store or pharmacy should be avoided unless they are absolutely essential.
So far, distancing seems to be working in our state, but now is not the time to relax. It’s the time to double-down on these measures.
That means staying home, but if it is absolutely necessary to go to the grocery store or pharmacy or making some other truly essential trip, we urge you to exercise great caution. If you’re unable to find a good parking spot, that’s a very good indication that you would be wise to reschedule your trip.
The more people you are exposed to, the greater the danger. The life you save in avoiding crowds may be your own or the lives of people you love. If that isn’t motivation enough, what in heaven or on earth could convince you?
So follow Yogi’s advice: Let’s make crowded places unpopular for the time being.
Wait for a safer, more opportune time.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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