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The last thing anyone wants to talk about during Christmas week is COVID-19, but unfortunately, even nearly two years in, the coronavirus remains a very real thing in our world — one that continues to throw curveballs at us.

The Omicron variant has brought new challenges, rising cases (nationally and locally) and is something else to worry about as you bring the family together this Christmas.

Nobody wants it to be that way. We all want COVID to go away. We all want to just have an absolutely normal Christmas.

And we understand that many of you are going to do that anyway. We don’t blame you. COVID is something we’re having to live with at this point, and for the most part, we’ve all moved on. Most of us are living normally.

All we’re asking is that you keep it in mind.

Troup County is back into the double digits for new COVID-19 cases right now, the first time we’ve consistently seen that since September. Experts are learning more and more about the Omicron variant every day, and cases in South Africa, which is where the variant has really run wild, are finally over the curve, meaning they will start decreasing.

However, it’s hard to know how the variant will impact the United States. It’s now been discovered in almost every state, including Georgia. The last thing you want is to have your Christmas plans impacted because you get COVID-19. And on top of that, no one wants to give family members COVID.

So take precautions. Wear a mask when you’re at the store. Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands frequently. This isn’t the week to be relaxed.