March 28, 2024

Langreck: The power in helping each other

As restrictions and regulations that were put into place several weeks ago to help slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state of Indiana begin to be lifted, dozens of nonessential Hoosier businesses and restaurants are preparing to open back up.

Although sections of the state are being permitted to open back up over the course of the next several weeks, employees will be required to take extra safety precautions while at work, including wearing a mask.

Even though the shelter-in-place ban is being lifted for most of Indiana, whenever possible Hoosiers are encouraged to stay home to help continue to slow the spread of the disease, but if individuals must go out, it is vital for people to practice social distancing, wash their hands or use hand sanitizer often and stay at home if they are feeling sick.

I am looking forward to being able to get my nails done soon when salons open back up. I also understand the importance of still proceeding with caution as I begin to wander out into public more as lockdown restrictions are lifted.

While I am not searching every website on the internet for giant inflatable bubbles that I can put myself and my children in, I always check to make sure I have a mask in my purse or car and a bottle of hand sanitizer clipped to my purse.

The thing is I am only one person, and while I am doing the best I can to practice social distancing when I have to go out, it doesn’t do a lot of good if other people don’t abide and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to keep 6 feet between themselves and other individuals.

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not wild about having to restrain myself from running up to my friends and giving them hugs, but I know it’s better for everyone’s health and safety that I don’t.

As the weeks go by and more things begin to open up and sporting events resume, I encourage everyone to be considerate of one another and try to maintain social distancing and good health practices if at all possible.