Americans have grown weary of talking about and living through th COVID-19 pandemic. This fatigue, however, does not lessen the importance of continued conversations about public health and safety. We must continue to socially distance into the holiday season.

Things like creating music, art, playing sports in your driveway, and more have helped millions of Americans live through such troubled times. There is a line, though, in the ways we entertain ourselves through this pandemic. For example, going to a party with 25 of your “closest pals” is not an okay way of coping. 

Many assumed younger generations would be primarily responsible for the spread of the virus via irresponsible partying. However, ignorance is not age exclusive. Social distancing and mask wearing have been a struggle for Americans across wide demographics. Wearing a mask has even somehow become a political issue. Those denying the basic rules and guidelines put in place to combat the pandemic put us all in danger.

It is imperative that Americans stop being so selfish. We are all fundamentally in the same boat. Some of us have it worse, some of us have it better, but we as Americans are in the same pandemic right now. Some have mental health issues that make staying isolated easier and for some harder. Some people are essential workers and are forced to work every day, among them being teachers, medical staff, and retail workers. People are losing their relatives every day, and we hear about it everywhere we go. Social media has made it so that we are reading depressing headlines everyday concerning the deaths of people’s loved ones due to COVID-19. 

Globally, COVID-19 cases have spiked. However, it is demonstrably worse here than in other countries. Americans must demonstrate basic empathy by socially distancing and wearing masks. It is in the hands of Americans now. It is up to you.