Probably the most accurate COVID-19 statistic is “cases per 100,000” and Monroe County’s cases have been increasing very rapidly. We are now at 79.14 which solidly places us in the “substantial” risk zone, closing in on the “high” risk red zone. Most of the cases are now in younger populations, those who have opted to not get the vaccine or in children who cannot get the vaccine. Pediatric hospitalizations are climbing. I am not an alarmist, but I think it is time to start masking in public, avoid settings that put you at risk, and get the vaccine if you qualify. The vaccine is not 100% effective but it does substantially decrease your risks, but more importantly, it decreases the risks for the population as a whole.