Not many people were happy when the state shut down everything due to the coronavirus earlier this year, and few will be pleased if similar steps are taken again.

Currently, state officials have indicated they don’t have plans to close businesses or schools, and no new regulations regarding crowd size or seating capacity have been mentioned.

However, state health leaders and Butler Health System officials have said they are concerned about the growing number of COVID-19 cases around the nation and in the region.

In the United States, the total number of cases has now crossed nine million and the number of deaths has passed 231,000.

On Friday, the nation saw its single worst day for the number of new cases — 83,757 — and while Monday was an improvement at 41,610, the virus is still on the rise.

Pennsylvania added 1,868 new COVID-19 cases Monday, making it number 11 for the most number of cases currently in the nation.

In recent weeks, there have been new cases at Butler County schools and, on Tuesday, the county had its largest increase of new cases — 25 — since early September.

There are simple steps you can take to cut down on your risk of getting the virus or spreading it to others. But you already know them: Wear a mask whenever appropriate, wash your hands frequently and avoid congregating with large groups of people.

It sounds simple enough, but not a day goes by when one doesn’t spot people ignoring the advice of health experts.

The best way to avoid another round of shutdowns or the type of COVID-19 explosion that other areas experienced — but hasn’t yet materialized in our region — is to continue to behave in a manner that keeps you and others safe.

If you show up to your favorite restaurant and there are more people there than make you feel comfortable, you can still support it by ordering takeout and leaving a nice tip.

If you have friends, family members, co-workers or neighbors who refuse to take part in COVID-19-related safety measures, consider giving them a wide berth for a little while.

What we do now could determine whether the new wave of COVID-19 is the deadliest to date or if it fizzles out.

Sooner or later, it will be gone. Until then, do what you need to do to ensure you’re around to speak of it in the past tense.

— NCD