I am an American. Liberty is in my DNA. But when signs say, “Don’t swim. Sharks are everywhere,” I don’t swim there. I don’t defy officials because... Liberty.

When my mom popped my hand as I inched towards the stove pot and said, “Don’t touch. That’s hot,” I didn’t touch the hot pot.

I’ve got liberty, but when flashing lights indicate a train is coming, I either sit in my car and wait or turn around in search of another route. I don’t say, “I’m a free American. I‘ll beat this train.”

So why all of a sudden do we have a bunch of fools who say, “I’m a free American. I won’t catch COVID. But if I do, that’s my right. Because... Liberty.”

Nearly every action we take leads to a reaction from other. Swimming with sharks puts lifeguards at risk. Racing a train puts the conductor, train passengers, other drivers and EMTs at risk. Tempting COVID puts doctors, nurses, And my family at risk. OF DYING!

My liberty as an American does not give me the freedom to put other lives at risk.

Stay home. Stay healthy. Venture out carefully. Wear a mask. Be kind. It’s that hard and that simple all at once. This will pass. Live to tell it.