Our state stay-at-home order was set to expire today. I was hopeful. Maybe too hopeful.

It was announced yesterday that our stay-at-home order has been extended for two more weeks. This was a hard pill to swallow. Not because we can’t do this another two weeks – obviously we’ve made it seven weeks, we can make it another two. I’m just a little skeptical that another two weeks is going to make that big of difference.

We have 4.5 million people living in our county and we’ve had 145 deaths. (And I’m not even going to mention how many positive cases there are because we all know that number is far lower with lack of testing and asymptomatic individuals.) Which means the risk of death to the general population is .003%.

I think that’s why I was so hopeful. Everyone was. I couldn’t see a scenario with those numbers that required stay-at-home orders. Sure – if you’re at risk – continue to shelter in place, and take necessary precautions. But if you’re healthy? Practice good hygiene, keep your distance and move on.

I was hoping for some self regulation on the matter. Stores can regulate how they want (put up plexi-glass, limit people in stores, require masks) but let people start to regulate themselves. Let able body individuals get back to work if they feel so inclined. Let our furloughed doctors and nurses get back to work. Let kids play at the empty soccer field again – the field without any playground equipment.

Again – its’ been a long 2 months. I was all in and ready to cooperate for seven weeks and do my part to stop the spread and I think it worked in our area. Thankfully we’ve reported some great numbers compared to other areas.

Its time to start easing back into our new normal life…in two weeks evidently!