Daily Herald opinion: Consider others if you are showing symptoms as COVID-19 numbers rise

This editorial is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

For months stretching into years, COVID-19 case numbers gave us an overall picture of the pandemic's rapid spread and frightening reach. But as home tests became common and public health agencies retired their daily case updates, the picture became less clear.

Yet, COVID-19 persists and, by many indications, is on the rise. That means it's important to revisit some precautions to protect ourselves and others - especially those whose age or health puts them at higher risk.

The overall numbers are still considered low and the data lags by a couple of weeks, but in mid-August the Centers for Disease Control reported 41% increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations from the prior week in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties.

So, some may ask: Is it time to dust off our masks?

That depends on your health and whether you have someone at home at higher risk. Consult your doctor and CDC guidelines for clarification. In some cases, donning a mask is a personal preference - a way to stay healthy before a big wedding or once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

Either way, the numbers call for some important reminders.

First, COVID-19 is not gone.

It is not the common cold.

It is not flu.

And because of COVID's risks, it is not OK to dismiss congestion, coughing, a sore throat or fever as "probably just a cold" before heading out to a family gathering with Grandma or into crowded concert venues.

Gone, thankfully, are the miserable days of wiping down groceries, panic-buying toilet paper and celebrating birthdays with drive-by parades. We all relish, with newfound appreciation, the chance to see family and friends in person and enjoy what was shuttered during the height of the pandemic.

We cannot, however, pretend that COVID is a thing of the past. We need to stay up-to-date on vaccines and continue to ask ourselves, whenever we have symptoms, if we could have COVID - and to find out.

Home testing is quick and easy, a tool we can all put to good use. But we must take our responsibility to those we love - and the strangers we encounter - one step further, even if your first-day test comes out negative, by staying home when we are sick.

If you are unsure and must venture out, keep your distance and consider masking. That is especially important when you are with anyone at higher risk of severe or potentially deadly complications.

Even if pesky symptoms don't turn out to be COVID, you might have saved someone from the flu or another nasty bug - allowing them to make that big wedding or once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

After all, wouldn't we want the same consideration in return?