Soapbox: Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.

Flu fighters' dilemma

President Trump addressed the nation Wednesday and put his vice president in charge of controlling the COVID-19 coronavirus. Gov. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot stood with health officials Friday to declare that Illinois has matters under control. The problem, of course, is that this is one of those situations that's under control until it's not under control.

So ...

We can't allow officials to minimize the risks or let up the pressure for limiting the spread of the disease. Nor can we as individuals drop our guard. Hand washing, covering sneezes, limiting direct contact with others are all good practices to emphasize right now.

But, of course ...

Mayor Lightfoot and other leaders obviously are also correct that we have to keep it all in perspective. "Fear cannot guide us in this moment. Thoughtfulness and preparations are the rule of the day," Lightfoot said. It's a delicate balance.

Something's gotta give

We waited for hours to get a REAL ID and of course, we're far from the only ones suffering these interminable waits. The secretary of state's leaders must come up with a better way of dealing with the demand for REAL ID driver's licenses.

Not forgotten

It's been 50 years since volunteer firefighters Warren Ahlgrim, Richard Freeman and John Wilson died fighting a fire at the Ben Franklin store in downtown Palatine. Feb. 23, 1973. But Palatine remembers and honors their sacrifice, and again paid tribute to them with a ceremony last Sunday. A half-century later, they are not forgotten.

No 'Awakening'

The "Spring Awakening" festival brought 30,000 people to the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates last June for three days of fun and electronic music. Looks like it was a one-off. Organizers confirmed the event will return to its original home at Chicago's Union Park. Too bad.

You go, girls

Super Monday for girls basketball has six area teams vying for a spot in next weekend's IHSA Final Four at Redbird Arena in Normal. Monday night's supersectional lineup has defending state champ Maine West taking on Fremd, Dundee-Crown facing Lake Park and Grayslake Central battling Montini. Best of luck to all!

Yes, vote. But there's no rush

Early voting may be great, but if you're interested in the Democratic presidential race, keep this in mind: In Illinois, 13 names will be on the ballot. As of today, only eight are still running. By March 17, you can bet the field will be even smaller, what with 21 more states holding primaries before then. Vote early and you risk casting a meaningless vote.

Yes, vote. But tune in first

The last Democratic presidential debate before the Illinois primary is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. March 15 on CNN. It should be worth watching.