It’s all too easy to let our guard down these days.

Having spent most of the summer safely socially distanced and often needing only to wear masks while indoors, these days, it is a time of readjustment for many area residents.

The colder weather is forcing us indoors more often now, and, when that happens, it is definitely time to mask up again. Some places are good at enforcing mask-wearing. Others, not so much.

For all of us, however, not only is it a new phase we are entering in this COVID Year of 2020, but I believe it is an extremely critical time. How we handle this phase is going to be important. It is going to be the difference between freedom in the months ahead or returning back to the rules, regulations, and business closings of earlier this year.

Unless we all take this serious, we could find ourselves right back where we were in March and April.

Some want to make mask-wearing a political issue. Mask-wearing is not a political issue — it is a social issue that demonstrates your respect or lack of respect for those around you. Politics has nothing to do with wearing a mask, despite the fact that many would want you to believe the contrary.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases are on the rise again everywhere, including Northeast Michigan. We can either choose to ignore the danger and go about our business as if nothing has changed, or follow safe practices by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.

Your decision will set the course for all of us in the months ahead. We either will make the best of where we are with life today or go back to a life of mandates and frustrations.

According to health officials in a newspaper story Tuesday, over this past weekend — from Friday, Oct. 23 through Monday, Oct. 26th — 27 new cases were reported in Northeast Michigan. Of the 27 cases, 16 were in Presque Isle County, six in Alpena County, four in Motmorency County, and one in Alcona County. The number marked the biggest three-day jump since May. And, as the week progressed, more cases were reported, as well.

Across the U.S. last Friday, more cases reported than any other day since back in March.

A number of factors contribute to the numbers — more people being tested, larger groups of people together in universities and schools, and, of course, colder weather forcing more people back indoors again.

I believe all of us are frustrated with coronavirus restrictions and concerns. Pandemic fatigue is at an all-time high. And, by now, we all know that pandemic fatigue is a very real and very dangerous symptom that cannot be ignored.

I understand the frustration with all the lifestyle changes that have been forced on all of us.

But now is not the time to let our guard down.

Now is not the time to throw caution to the wind.

None of us want to return to the days when our personal freedoms were severely curtailed.

Please, for the sake of all of us, wear a mask. Wash your hands frequently. Observe social distancing.

Let’s respect those around us by practicing safety first.

And, together, lets rally one more time to beat this virus once and for all.

Bill Speer can be reached at 989-354-3111, ext. 311, or bspeer@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @billspeer13.