We’ve just endured week 35 of the pandemic. It’s not getting any better. It’s getting worse.

In Wyoming, COVID-19 is at its worst since its start in March. Statewide, there are 9,897 active cases as of Monday morning, bringing the grand total to 19,298. We’ve lost 144 Wyoming residents to the virus. Yes, some have been older folks living in nursing homes and other places vulnerable to the spread of the coronavirus, who may have passed away soon anyway at the hands of other diseases or old age. Regardless, we lost them. 

It’s time we take this seriously. 

Local, state and national officials have put out the call. At a recent school board meeting, Goshen County School District No. 1 Superintendent Ryan Kramer pleaded with the community to take measures to reduce transmission of COVID-19, including wearing masks, social distancing and frequently washing our hands. These are all precautions being taken by students and staff in the district’s schools, and that’s why we’re not seeing the virus spread as easily during the school day.

The argument from those opposed to these measures is that they’re unconstitutional. That it’s against our rights as American citizens to be told to wear face coverings. I understand the concerns here; mandates are government taking control, which technically, the Constitution aims to prevent too much of. 

Officials tried to give us liberty to make our choice, they hoped it’d be the smart choice, to take precautions without having to issue an order to do so. Governor Mark Gordon has stepped to the podium week after week, saying, “I know us Wyomingites will do the right thing.”

This past week, week 35, he realized that begging and pleading isn’t working. Instead, this week, he took to the podium with a force and anger not yet seen, practically yelling at Wyoming residents about the surge in COVID-19 cases so late in the game. 

Still, however, there is no mask statewide mandate. He’s maintained his position of relinquishing these responsibilities to local control, which I can appreciate. But at what point will he decide enough is enough? More orders can come, he said.

County officials, I’ve been told, have decided enough is enough. And I thank them, especially our own health officer, Dr. Marion Smith, for taking the lead on controlling this unforeseen, (hopefully) once in a lifetime pandemic. Let’s have some respect for her and the rest of our public health department by mitigating the spread of the coronavirus by taking some small measures: wearing face coverings, washing our hands and staying at least six feet apart from others. Nobody wants businesses to close again, which is why we should take these small measures.

This virus has turned political, which is unfortunate as it’s likely the reason it’s still running rampant in our communities. Goshen County is a small, tight-knit community, one that’s welcomed me with open arms. Let’s have respect and care for one another and take these precautions. 

The pandemic isn’t political for me. I just want it to stop. My grandfather, who lives in Pennsylvania, recently tested positive. He’s not in great health and is in his 70s, so my family and I are worried. When I spoke with him on the phone, he sounded a little bit run down, but not terribly ill. What is scary about this virus is that anything can happen at any time. We’re learning more about it, but we still don’t know everything. 

I can’t go home for Thanksgiving. I made the difficult decision to stay put instead of putting myself and my family in jeopardy by flying home after having been in contact with so many people through my job here and then on an airplane. Though I’ve read reports saying flights are relatively safe, I still don’t want to take the chance on my parents. They are relatively young, but again, anything can happen. 

Frankly, Thanksgiving is already going to be different at this point. I’m asking everyone to start wearing face coverings and being cautious in other ways so we can all safely spend Christmas with our families. 

I want to spend Christmas with my family. I want my pop to live to see this Christmas, to be completely honest with you all.

We’re now in week 36. Let’s make it a better one.