The consequences of transitioning to red on Colorado’s COVID-19 dial are unfortunate, but they are nothing compared to what Summit County would experience should we advance to purple. Public health only has a limited number of tools, and these can be likened to a collection of hammers of ever-increasing size. When the desired outcomes of reduced cases and test positivity are not attained, the only real option for public health is to use a bigger hammer.

This is not the only option for individuals. We can each do everything within our personal ability to reduce spread. We can wear a mask correctly whenever we are indoors in a public place or outdoors around other people. We can travel in smaller groups for groceries and other shopping. We can forego parties and other gatherings. Even doing this for a short period of time could help us turn the corner to get out of red.

Many of these are the things the latest public health order tells us we must do, and this incites people to try to fight, or simply ignore, the order. People argue that masks don’t work or that the order is unconstitutional. This is the wrong time for these arguments. These are things we ought to be at least trying to do because they might help us keep the county open.

Perhaps most of us won’t be perfect in our compliance. We may let our children sneak in the back door around the holidays, especially if we have not seen them in a long time. But every bit of individual choice we each make to follow the spirit of the order will be a small contribution that could save skiing, businesses and jobs. Make the right choices not because you have to but because you want these results.