The people who know what they’re talking about aren’t fooling around. Health care professionals have advised the public and public officials how important self-isolating and social distancing is in the face of the coronavirus threat that everyone – and they do mean everyone – is facing. That means both now and the near future, until that imminent threat subsides.

While this may seem like a no-brainer for most of us, there are – incredibly – many who remain unconvinced of the seriousness of the threat and scoff at these vitally important advisories.

That the tragic loss of life and misery caused by this disease fails to instill any fear – or at least a sense of cautiousness – in these folks is beyond reason. And yet there always seems to be a certain percentage of the population that refuses to believe they are vulnerable.

Sadly, many of the younger among us may have gotten mixed signals and muddled information suggesting that the virus only seriously affects older people. This is factual to a certain extent, but not completely. There have been recorded instances of quite young victims succumbing to the ravages of this disease, up to and including death itself.

Others simply remain unconvinced for any number of reasons. The best rule of thumb to follow is to seek out the most current and factual information available. And beware of taking to heart the poor advice and misguided policies of those who are either misinformed or harbor a hidden agenda in their words and deeds.

Don’t be fooled, be informed.