The COVID-19 crisis continues to be the major news story daily. If we want it not to be, we need to start taking it seriously.

COVID-19 is not the flu. It is both more contagious and more deadly. Its virulence, or how easy it is to pass on to others, is exacerbated by the fact that without testing, there is no way to tell who might be carrying the virus. That means that every person you meet could have COVID-19 and give it to you. It also means that you could have it and spread it to every person you encounter, and never know.

Hamilton County Public Health officials are seeing a significant increase in cases this week. That is why they are working so hard to encourage social distancing and mask wearing. It is only common sense. If we can keep people from catching the virus, then eventually it will be less of a danger.

We have faced great dangers as a country before. In every one of those cases, we came together to defeat a great enemy, whether it was fascism in World War II or deadly diseases like polio.

Life may never be the same as it was before COVID-19, but we can return to something closer to normal if we all come together and do what is needed to stop the spread of the disease. That requires limiting large gatherings and wearing masks at all times.

It is tempting to be in denial and act like COVID-19 is not a real problem, but the number of deaths in Iowa are nearing 1,000 and the number of infections continues to rise. People have recovered, but recovery is not always a return to full health. People with COVID-19 have had serious symptoms that took weeks or even months to resolve.

The virus has had a devastating effect on the economy and the community. If we want to return to our jobs, our schools, and our lives, we are all going to have to work together to flatten the curve and reduce the spread. The faster we do that; the more quickly things will return to something closer to normal.