
Public health officials are warning us of a long, difficult winter ahead as the pandemic continues and have repeatedly urged everyone to avoid gatherings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and risking overwhelming our nation’s healthcare system.
During a time of year when many ordinarily look forward to gathering with family and friends to celebrate the festivities of the season, this is an especially difficult recommendation to take in. But we must – the pandemic isn’t over yet, as much as we all desperately wish that it was.
To be sure, there are still reasons for joy and hope this year. The news of our nation’s healthcare workers beginning to be vaccinated is a source of hope for many and a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. It marks the possibility of the beginning of the end of this brutal pandemic, but we haven’t yet reached the end. If we are going to put this difficult period behind us, we each still have to do our part to keep each other and our community safe and healthy.
The news of a vaccine – and the potential for the general public to begin receiving it in the coming months – makes it very tempting to ease up, to not heed advice about hosting or attending a holiday gathering, to be less diligent about social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing. But, those are precisely the things that we need to continue doing over the coming weeks and months, until we have safely reached the end of this long pandemic together.
I encourage the entire Glencoe community to continue finding and spreading joy, hope and good cheer this holiday season in the safest ways possible. Please continue to take care of each other and be good neighbors as we share the promise of a new year of happiness and good health. This is the best present we can give each other this holiday season. I wish you a happy and healthy new year!