Letter to the editor: We must keep being alone together

To our community:

It has been a trying time. It is tough to be away from friends and family. It is hard for all of us. But this is not the time for us to take our collective feet off the brake pedal. Now is the time for us to double down and be even more vigilant with our social distancing efforts.

We have not yet seen our peak of covid-19 illness. It is my fervent hope that our peak is not steep. That our curve flattens significantly. It does appear that this is happening. However, a flatter curve means less severe illness, hospitalizations, use of resources and deaths. A flatter curve also means a longer period of social distancing.

It is hard, but we can do it together. We are stronger together. We will survive. Together.

So please, please, please:

• Stay home as much as you can.

• When you do have to go out, make your trips intentional and short. Create a running grocery list and go once a week (or less) rather than every day or so.

• Do not congregate.

• Maintain a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and others.

• Follow the instruction of our governor and wear a cloth mask when you are out of the house and around others.

Our collective lives depend on what we as individuals do.

We have to be alone … together.

We can do it.

Carol J. Fox, M.D.

Greensburg

The writer is senior vice president and chief medical officer for Excela Health.