Our View: Responsibility can keep things open

Finally.

After a holiday season where restaurants and bars were closed for indoor dining, the state has finally allowed them to open dining rooms for dine-in customers, following a few guidelines to keep patrons and staff safe from the coronavirus.

We are pleased that Gov. Tim Walz and health experts, who have relied on science and facts in making difficult and unpopular decisions, see that the spread of the virus is slowing just as a new vaccine is being rolled out. That combination, plus the public’s awareness of safety precautions, means that dining rooms should be able to open safely.

It’s been nearly a year since the coronavirus made its appearance in Minnesota, and we applaud leaders for acting quickly to slow its spread. People have learned safe distancing, are comfortable wearing masks, and are generally more cautious when interacting with others. Although the death rate is not as high as initially predicted, our county has seen more than 40 people die from the virus, and more than 2,000 laid low from infection, suffering from the disease. And that’s just the ones that tested positive, there are certainly more out there.

Had the government neglected to act, the infection rate certainly would have been devastating.

But closing businesses creates its own devastation, affecting people’s livelihood. We feel for those people, even as we believe the restrictions were necessary for public health. But now we hope to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We encourage people to patronize local bars and restaurants, but exercise restraint and caution when doing so. Wear your masks. Follow the establishment’s protocols. Don’t risk exposure to the virus. If we ignore safety procedures, cases may spike again, causing more restrictions. But if we enjoy ourselves safely and cautiously, we just may beat this virus.

So, go ahead and dine in at your favorite Carlton County establishment — or continue to order by delivery or carryout — but do so safely.