Responsible efforts allow events

The summer of 2020 will not be normal.

That much is already clear.

But local organizations are providing a sense of normalcy and some things to look forward to.

Jay County Fair Board this week announced its plans for a scaled-down fair that will run four days. The Jay County 4-H Fair will also be held in a modified show-and-go format.

Arts Place this week announced schedule for reopening and holding its summer Arts in the Parks program.

And Fort Recovery Friends of the Arts has announced it will host its summer concert series as well. (See Tuesday’s newspaper for details about those events.)

All of those announcements are exciting news during a period in which we’ve had to read and hear about so much illness and death related to the coronavirus pandemic.

What stands out most is that none of them ignored the reality of the pandemic and simply plowed forward with their regular plans. In all cases, they looked at their state’s regulations for reopening, they paid attention to local health department guidelines and they modified their events for the safety of their patrons.

Grandstand entertainment at the fair has been all but eliminated because of the need for social distancing. Animals won’t stay at the fairgrounds because having them there would make social distancing impossible.

Arts Place will require face masks and social distancing. Hand-washing stations will be provided for outdoor activities where restrooms are not easily accessible.

Fort Recovery Friends of the Arts will encourage families to sit together and remain socially distanced from others at concerts. Close interaction between performers and the audience will not be allowed.

All of these measures are responsible, sensible and relatively simply. Most importantly, they show respect their communities.

We applaud these groups for their efforts to take prudent public health measures while also providing some of the entertainment we crave.

Thank you. — R.C.