If you want your life back, follow Inslee’s coronavirus stay home order | Editorial

The more seriously Tri-Citians take Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay home order, the more likely we can stem the spread of the coronavirus, and the more quickly we can get back to our normal lives.

At this point, every one of us must consider ourselves a “spreader” even if we have no symptoms. That’s the only attitude that will help slow this disease.

Regrettably, there may still be people who do not comprehend the severity of the situation, or if they do, they don’t care enough to change their habits.

And their disregard for temporary rules will mean our lives, our economy and our children’s education will be disrupted for months instead of weeks. Worst of all, it will mean more people will become sick and more people will die.

Even after Inslee closed schools and restaurants last week, hundreds of young people continued their traditional gathering at the parking lot of Kennewick’s Highlands Center, in front of Gold’s Gym along Highway 395.

A passerby posted a 27-second video of a packed parking lot and people socializing, completely ignoring Inslee’s previous order to restrict gatherings to no more than 50 people. President Trump and the Centers for Disease Control recommend no more than 10.

Yet, the Friday night car show — as it is known around the Tri-Cities — went on as usual.

Carloads of people also have continued to gather at the “Top of the World” at the end of Glenwood Court in south Richland.

Even older citizens have had a tough time complying with social distancing — many have been seen continuing their coffee meetings in restaurant parking lots.

And don’t get us started on people trying to crowd others out at grocery stores.

This kind of social clustering must stop.

Non-essential businesses are now closed and people must limit their public outings.

Washington residents are allowed to leave their homes only to get food and medicine, to care for a loved one, to care for a pet, to keep medical and behavioral health appointments, and to get exercise outside — as long as they stay 6 feet away from others.

Workers in businesses considered essential are also allowed to leave their homes — and that list is extensive.

While the emergency order is limiting, it is not as extreme as what is going on in other countries. In France, for example, not enough people changed their behavior on their own, so the government had to crack down.

Now the French must carry a document with them when they go out that justifies why they have left their home.

We aren’t there yet, but it is conceivable if people don’t behave.

Every day more people are contracting the coronavirus and more people are dying from the disease.

As of Wednesday morning, the statewide coronavirus death toll climbed to 123 and there are now more than 2,400 confirmed cases, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

At last count, the Tri-Cities had 19 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 12 in Benton County and seven in Franklin County.

Three people have died from COVID-19, all of them in Benton County.

We are fighting against an invisible invader, and the battle strategy is simple — stay put.

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 12:44 PM.