While anyone who lives, works, shops and pursues activities in their community did not need to be alerted by the White House on Thursday that the coronavirus pandemic is officially over in the United States, the gesture brings a smile and collective sigh of relief to many.

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the future will hear tales of the stress caused by the pandemic to people just trying to go about their lives.

The psychological effects of staying home for extended periods — deemed “isolating” during the pandemic — or not seeing relatives and friends; the financial impact on business owners forced to close their shops, restaurants, venues and other businesses; the negative effects on the elderly in nursing homes whose loved ones could not visit; the arguments over the necessity for masking, vaccines and restrictions; supply chain issues; soaring prices in some products; and the hunt for a couple rolls of toilet paper are just a few stressors caused by the pandemic.

Most people had never considered how their lives would be affected if a deadly worldwide pandemic struck the Earth. They were caught completely off guard when government officials began doling out mandates to try and stem the spread of COVID-19.

More than 800 people in our own county lost their battle with the disease, and the grieving process of those left behind was interrupted when they could not plan a tribute or formal farewell for their loved ones due to restrictions on gatherings.

The Butler Eagle obituary department still is receiving notices of “celebrations of life” that are only now being held for residents who succumbed to COVID-19 during the global health emergency.

And now, a thrilled populace is returning to the movies, restaurants, municipal meetings, family reunions and birthday parties once again without the image of the dreaded red-spiked sphere in their heads.

Those who continue to work at home are now free to go out in public after working hours.

We at the Butler Eagle, who plowed ahead like other business when entire departments were battling the symptoms of COVID-19, look back proudly on our ability to band together and produce a newspaper every day in the face of the pandemic’s chaos.

The newspaper was among the only tactile means of contact with the outside world for some during the pandemic. The stories shared with us by county residents of their struggles, their resiliency and their faith, helped us all make it through a time of fear and uncertainty.

So here’s an official goodbye to the coronavirus pandemic. While, like the flu, COVID will never leave us completely, we’ve learned to adapt. Thanks to medical advancements and practices, most who contract COVID-19 today will develop only mild symptoms instead of fearing for their very lives.

Good riddance, COVID-19. Butler County will not miss you.

— PG