Colorado has moved from the stay-at-home order in response to COVID-19 to safer-at-home, and while that is good for the economy, it’s also potentially a dangerous move. Why? Because we, as a people, are incredibly stubborn. That inherent American quality may lead to prolonged spread of COVID-19, and potentially more lock-down. It’s better to isolate as much as possible now for an earlier return to normal.

Before there is any outcry about The Criterion being anti-American, we understand the importance of freedom and we understand the value of American stubbornness. It’s why we don’t speak with British accents and why Hitler failed to take over the world.

At the same time, our stubbornness can, on occasion, be a detriment. One example is the response to the stay-at-home order. After Polis issued the order, local citizen behavior barely changed.

Rather than acknowledge the need to limit spread and protect individuals with compromised immune systems, many Grand Junction residents stubbornly went into public areas without necessity and without masks. The refusal to practice courtesy and consideration for their fellows was justified by shouts of freedom and the Constitution.

It’s true that the Constitution protects the right to assemble and says nothing about social distancing. Following only the letter of the law rather than the intent, telling people to stay home is a violation of rights. However, the founding fathers probably roll in their graves every time Americans use their great work to justify harmful behavior.

We want to take a moment here to clarify something: we are not condemning anybody’s actions thus far. We are pointing out how the stay-at-home order was ignored and saying it was not considerate of those in danger. We understand the reasons why individuals chafed at the order, and yet urge our readers to continue to exercise social distancing.

For those who are struggling economically and just want to get back to work, that is a valid concern. Hopefully, the safer-at-home policy will allow many to begin earning wages again. This can be done without large groups flocking together without masks and breathing each other’s air.

If we can’t act responsibly during this transition, if we stubbornly refuse to let the government tell us what to do, then we open up the possibility of a fresh outbreak. That would be devastating to both lives and the economy.

If the government has to step in and shut things down again because COVID-19 flares up, it probably won’t be as light-handed as the previous order, and it will probably last a lot longer. If the stay-at-home order hurt working Americans, just think about what a harsher and longer quarantine will accomplish. It’s not worth the risk.

Even if individuals think COVID-19 is not a big deal, the government obviously thinks otherwise. It will act accordingly if the spread is not controlled and eliminated.

So please, think beyond the individual view and look at the bigger picture. Masks may be uncomfortable, but they signal to others that you place their well-being at a higher value than your own comfort. Staying at home aside from the essential grocery store run and going to work may cut into your social life, but it helps prevent transmission.

The more individuals that willingly isolate and wear masks when they absolutely have to leave the house, the faster we can collectively move towards establishing normalcy. Please do your part to help this happen.