We are right back to square one? Right back where we started? Only this time, far more are sick, nearly two dozen have died, and our local economy has taken a punch to the gut it is staggering to recover from.

Friday, Warren County reached yet another grim milestone in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic when 49 new cases were reported.

That figure was the most cases reported in one day since the local pandemic began on March 29.

As a point of reference, Warren County did not reach 49 cases until the 30th day of the local pandemic. We got 49 new cases Friday.

And, as the numbers increase, local and state leaders begin the slow march to more restrictions, stricter guidelines and additional oversight.

In the past week, the city of Vicksburg and Warren County Supervisors have enacted mask mandates requiring masks be worn in all businesses and public buildings.

Friday, Gov. Tate Reeves rolled back the sizes of social gatherings to where they were weeks ago to no more than 10 indoors and 20 outdoors.

In addition to those orders, Reeves placed limitations on bars and restaurants.

And all of this is because we were not responsible enough to do what was needed.

In the early days of the pandemic, we all sheltered in place, scared of what the virus might do us and our families. Now, instead of being cautious and careful, we are dismissive and irresponsible.

As a society, we were quick to ignore the guidelines and advice of expert medical officials and think we knew better.

We obviously did not know better.

Warren County has avoided being declared a ‘hot spot’ by state officials, but if the cases continue to skyrocket, such an announcement and label is surely coming.

Who will we blame additional restrictions on then? Who will we complain about and say they are infringing on our rights?

We did this to ourselves. We have only ourselves to blame. And, it is now up to us to make sure additional restrictions are avoided.