In the interim, we should utilize an incremental approach to reactivating our economy. In areas where we can safely move back to normal, we should. This is not a suggestion that we sacrifice lives to COVID-19 in favor of economic growth. Instead, this recognizes that social isolation and economic catastrophe carry a cost in lives, as well. Our goal should be to minimize the loss of life and other damage in both the near term and the long term.

Lastly, we need to pray for our leaders, cut them some slack, and trust that they are attempting to make the best decisions with limited information. Our leaders face two different, difficult balancing acts. First, our leaders must balance the prevention measures that are necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 against potential hysteria and infringement of our civil liberties. Second, they must also weigh the high costs of lives lost to COVID-19 against the lives lost due to economic distress and diminished preventative social interactions, as well as the dangers to students who aren’t in supervised classrooms.

Both our federal and state pandemic responses have plenty of room for improvement. We should ruthlessly identify problem areas, but offer solutions, not blame. I have complete confidence that we, as both a nation and a state, will pull through this pandemic. Whether we come through stronger or weaker depends on our choices now. For a stronger Illinois and America, it is time to unite and think about the path back to normal.

State Sen. Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo, represents the 58th district in Illinois.