The days drag on as Kansans contemplate a spring without large social gatherings, business curtailed and many people out of work. In the years BC – Before COVID-19 – we’d be preparing for the Cinco de Mayo parade, June Jaunt and Relay for Life, family reunions and graduations. This week Great Bend opened up its fishing holes and Vets Park (but not the playground equipment), and the response showed how ready everyone is to return to normal.

The state is ready to step up its testing and we can expect to see the number of confirmed cases increase as well. Early this week, Sen. Jerry Moran stated in his “Kansas Common Sense” newsletter, “In the midst of this pandemic, I realize that our economy will only recover once we address the issue of people’s health. I am supportive of widespread testing efforts so that Kansans can feel secure in their health, which will allow us to begin to look to the future and our country’s economic recovery.”

Meanwhile, Moran also said, “Please take precautions to keep you and your families safe, and please call your primary care physician if you are experiencing symptoms related to the coronavirus. It is important as individuals we each take a personal responsibility to stop the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve, including washing our hands regularly, avoiding touching our face, sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of our elbow and disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.”

It is possible to enjoy the bounty of spring while avoiding crowds and while maintaining social distancing. Take a walk or fly a kite, look for birds or start a garden. The days are coming when some of the restrictions will be eased; just remember that we can’t ease up on preventative behaviors.