Letter to the Editor: "In order to protect our community, stay safe, stay home, wear a mask and wash your hands"

"Today (Monday) the positivity rate (for COVID-19 testing) in Winnisheik County is 13.3 percent.  On May 12, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) advised governments that before reopening, rates of positivity in testing (ie, out of all tests conducted, how many came back positive for COVID-19) should remain at 5 percent or lower for at least 14 days. This means that in order to reopen schools and return to a more normal way of life, we should all shelter in place and avoid all non-essential activities like visits to bars, restaurants, gyms, hair salons etc. until we can flatten the curve and reduce the positivity rate to below 5 percent for 14 days. Of course, even when we engage in essential activities we must wear masks and practice social distancing.