As TLS has reported, there are now multiple cases of Covid-19 in Lakewood, and more positive cases are expected. Since that report a short while ago, we have been inundated with people asking us what to do next. The answer is simple: Nothing. Follow guidelines.

We have known for several weeks that there would likely be confirmed cases of coronavirus in Lakewood. We have made it our priority to report on developments accurately and in a timely fashion. Confirmed cases in Lakewood doesn’t mean anything has changed. In fact, nothing has changed. We knew this would happen. And we also know that the number of cases in Lakewood will likely go up over the next week or two because quarantine measures were not implemented quickly enough. That doesn’t mean the quarantine isn’t working, it means that more people who were already infected are now being tested.

Confirmed cases in Lakewood should have just one effect on us: it should serve to underscore the need for every one of us to abide by the social distancing and hygiene rules that every medical expert has ordered. Now is not the time for games. It’s not the time to be “tough” and ignore what is happening. While you might be healthy and have little reason to fear the coronavirus, know that there are thousands upon thousands of people for whom this virus can literally be a death sentence.

Don’t be a rodef, follow the rules.