In reality, the news of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mower County was probably inevitable. On Thursday, Mower County officials confirmed the case, adding to the list of 89 confirmed cases in 18 counties as of Thursday afternoon.

As testing becomes more widespread and catches up to those people showing symptoms, the numbers will rise exponentially. This is true across the nation and a continuing part of the struggle against the coronavirus.

While this may heighten the fear and uncertainty regarding the outbreak, it’s key to remember a couple things.

The first and above all else is that we don’t introduce any more panic into the system. Running to the supermarket to buy up as much supplies as possible only hurts others who would be left wanting. Even though we can’t be together, we have to work together and one way to do that is to purchase only what you need, despite the concern you may have in the face of the fact that COVID-19 has touched our community.

The second thing to keep in mind is what health officials have been saying for a while now — act as if you’re sick. If you don’t need to go out, don’t go out. Social distancing, a phrase that is all too common, is a key tool in flattening the curve and trying to get a grip on this virus.

There is also a long-term component to this. Right now, medical professionals around the nation are showing concern over a possible lack of supplies. Hospitals are going through supplies in months that were meant to cover years. A recent change in policy by the Centers of Disease Control is allowing hospital workers to substitute masks with bandanas or scarfs if they were exposed, of course going into self-quarantine the moment they display symptoms. This is because of looming shortfalls in the amount of supplies. As we work to flatten the curve through social distancing, we hopefully can prevent more people from needing hospital care that is put under such a strain on the medical infrastructure.

There is reason for concern. By now, that should be readily available, but in light of the news that COVID-19 is now in Austin, it’s more reason than ever to continue taking steps and do our part to help mediate the damage done by this virus.