SLO County is on track to relax COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday. Please don’t blow it

Finally, the COVID-19 case count is falling in San Luis Obispo County. If we keep it up, we can “graduate” to the red tier — meaning some restrictions can be eased.

For example, churches, museums, theaters, restaurants and shopping malls can once again allow people indoors, although only at low occupancy rates.

After weeks of high cases counts and mounting deaths, we’ll take that as a sign of significant progress..

County Health Officer Penny Borenstein is optimistic that we’ll move into the red tier on Tuesday — but she’s reminding us that our position remains precarious.

“I really do implore our community members to — when we get there — to not over-celebrate,” Borenstein said at Wednesday’s briefing.

Because here’s the rub: The number of new cases must average no more than around 20 per day.

That means no big spikes, or we’ll be kicked right back to the purple tier, which is the most restrictive in the state’s four-tier rating system.

Other counties, such as San Diego, already are finding themselves in that position, which is especially tough on businesses that are allowed to lift restrictions one week, only to be forced to backtrack again a week or two later.

In other words, we can’t afford to slip up, because just one or two “superspreader” events — like a house party or even an extended family gathering — could blow it for everybody.

So follow the drill: Wear a face covering. When you’re outside your home, stay at least 6 feet away from others. Wash your hands frequently. If you are going to hold any kind of gathering, keep it small and, preferably, stay outdoors. And if you’re sick, stay home.

To that, we add another plea: Stop politicizing this pandemic.

That goes double for local leaders, who should be guiding by example.

Just imagine, for a moment, how powerful it would be if local officials — regardless of political and religious affiliation — were to come out 100% in support of face masks.

Instead, we have a sheriff who downplayed the need for masks and a district attorney who vowed he would not prosecute people for singing in church, even though that’s been proven to spread COVID-19.

On top of that, we still have people claiming the coronavirus is a giant hoax and glorifying those who flout health and safety rules.

Here’s an example: A post from the SLO County Republican Party sharing a video on its Facebook page urges, “Stop wearing a mask as it harms you in so many ways.”

Please.

Who has more credibility here: a random conspiracy theorist or Dr. Robert Redfield, the CDC chief who just said that masks are our best defense against COVID-19?

At least this particular Facebook post wasn’t popular with SLO County Republicans — it got only one “like,” which is something of a relief.

But it’s not enough to remain silent in the face of such stupidity. (Yes, we actually used the “s” word.)

It’s time to call out conspiracy theories for what they are — lies.

At this stage, we know a lot more about how the virus is — and is not — transmitted, and if we heed the advice of health professionals we’ll be able to keep cases in check and move forward on reopening.

We’re at a critical juncture. If we really want schools to reopen, small businesses to operate under less stringent conditions and places of worship to welcome their members back indoors, each of us must do our part to keep case counts down.

As Dr. Borenstein says, do not over-celebrate.

And don’t forget your mask.

This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 5:05 AM.