We’re still safer at home

We all want things to return to the way they were. In Wisconsin, that means Friday night fish fries and brandy old fashions. Under current rules, that isn’t possible until May 26 because of Governor Evers’ safer-at-home order. Now some are saying they can’t wait that long. The Wisconsin Tavern League is calling on the Governor to reopen bars and restaurants by May 1. And this Friday, a group of people, perhaps a large group, plans a rally at the capitol in Madison calling on the Governor to reopen the economy. On a Facebook event page, 2000 people have said they will attend the rally, and 10,000 have said they are interested. But the last thing we need right now is large groups of people gathering together in protest. It would be nearly impossible to follow recommended social distancing guidelines, and that threatens to cause a spike in cases of the coronavirus. It is no different from those who flocked to spring break in Florida despite the outbreak, with a number of them later testing positive for the virus. There is no question our efforts to social distance are paying off, as the number of cases ha snot reached projected levels. Joining a protest in Madison only increases the chances that the stay at home order be kept in place longer, the very thing they are protesting against. Because until we get the virus under control, a real economic recovery is not going to happen.