Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Large gatherings, like Hartley's Summer Celebration, have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local kids can still blow off steam at the pool.
Calling this year a doozy would be the biggest understatement of all time. Nothing is as it once was, and nobody could have dreamt up this "new normal" in their wildest fever dream.
Despite the unprecedented times, a few signs of normalcy have returned during the last month. Baseball and softball are back, and though Little League was canceled, the pool opened last week. Parks are open again, too, so kids have at least a few things to keep them busy. They've been cooped up and bored for way too long.
Still, we're missing out on some marquee traditions. Summer Celebration, the Iowa State Fair and other annual festivities have been scrubbed from the schedule thanks to COVID-19. Whether the Clay County Fair happens remains to be seen, but you don't have to be an expert prognosticator to know odds aren't favorable. With social distancing guidelines and uncertainty over turnout, it's going to be hard.
It's important to keep in mind these changes are only temporary. The pandemic has been hard on everyone, and these cancelations only piled it on. They'll be back next year, though, and everyone needs to keep their nerve as we push past COVID-19.
In lieu of all the cancellations and postponements, look for alternatives. Take the family camping, go fishing or head to the hiking trail. Start that project you've been putting off or pick up a new hobby. Above all else, try to avoid large crowds. It's temping to head to the Lakes or go grab a drink in a crowded bar – after all, it's been so unbearably long. But social distancing is still imperative to slow the spread of this virus. Failing to do so will only result in high infection rates like those seen in Texas, Florida and Arizona.
If you do choose to venture in public, wear a mask when you can't stay six feet away from others. This isn't a political debate and it isn't an infringement on your freedoms – it's simply a proven way to reduce infections. Public health experts aren't the enemy.
There are still ways you can salvage this summer, just do it responsibly. Again, all of this is temporary and we will get past it. We just need to have the patience and perseverance to do so.
