Protect yourselves and each other as Nevada gets back to business

Friday, May 29, 2020 | 2 a.m.

Today is a day of relief and hope for Nevada, as our state enters Phase 2 of coronavirus reopenings. But it’s also a time to recognize that the pandemic isn’t over, and our responsibility to protect each other and the visitors to our community isn’t behind us.

So as doors open again and people go back to work at long last, a few reminders seem in order.

Let’s remember that a face mask is a sign that someone cares about others. It’s a simple thing — just a piece of fabric — but it protects people around the wearer from germs that can be expelled by him or her through coughing, sneezing and even talking.

A face mask is not a symbol of oppression; quite the opposite, it’s a symbol of community and goodwill. And opting not to put one on is not a sign of independence or masculinity, but rather of discourteousness and a lack of concern about others’ well-being.

As we venture back into businesses, let’s remain considerate to the workers we’ll be meeting. We might only see one person assisting us at a retail shop, restaurant or other establishment, but that employee has seen many before us and will see many more after we leave. So it’s a sign of respect to thank them, be courteous to them and help them feel good about their work. That mask you wear tells them you care about their safety.

When we’re working out at gyms, attending church services, etc., let’s be protective of vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions. Make sure to respect social distancing and wipe down surfaces you touch.

Let’s also not forget that the coronavirus can be transmitted anywhere, including outside. As we relax in parks, hike in scenic areas, hit pools and enjoy the outdoors, let’s remember that social distancing guidelines still apply.

The need for charitable giving, volunteer work and community service also isn’t going away. Far too many Nevadans remain out of work and financially vulnerable; they need the community’s help. There’s a critical need for donations of food, blood, clothing and other necessities.

As traffic ramps up, let’s drive courteously and attentively. Some of us may be a bit rusty, after all, after months of isolation.

Our community’s economic recovery hinges on how well we protect the visitors who will start coming here next week when the resort industry reopens. As we locals head back to the Strip and downtown, let’s show our Las Vegas hospitality by following distancing guidelines, adhering to resorts’ rules and keeping safety top-of-mind.

Over these past 10 weeks of shutdowns, we’ve been #VegasStrong and then some. Our sacrifice has been epic — just like in the recession, we’ll be one of the nation’s hardest-hit states financially. But we stepped up and did our part to protect others with a compassion and fortitude that few other communities could match. With deaths and hospitalizations having subsided significantly since the peak of the outbreak here, we can take immense pride in what we’ve done.

But we have a long way to go. New cases still number in the dozens daily, and the Phase 2 reopenings put an even greater premium on all of us doing our part to protect others.

The threat of COVID-19 isn’t over. We’re simply learning to deal with it.

As we move forward, let’s not forget what made us #VegasStrong in the awful aftermath of the Oct. 1 shooting. It wasn’t swaggering — flouting rules, rejecting advice from experts, taking political stands fueled by an extremist agenda, etc. It was about galvanizing as a community in a heartfelt show of caring for others. It was about lining up for blocks to give blood. It was about nurturing the victims and survivors with donations of food, clothing, funds and more.

It was all about healing. It was all about demonstrating compassion and empathy for everyone around us.

Those characteristics are the steel with which our community’s recovery will be built. As we step forward today, let’s remember that we’ve been down before but managed to storm back on the strength of our focus on others.