Sometimes it seems that we have lived several lifetimes since this coronavirus pandemic came to our shores and shut everyone indoors. In fact, it’s only been eight weeks since the Gazette-Journal printed its first story on March 5 on the local impact.

Every issue since that time has been filled with news of preparations, concerns and fears. We have tried to keep up with news of local businesses, schools, churches and other institutions figuring out a way forward while trying to stay safe and sound.

After Virginia’s schools were closed in mid-March for two weeks, and soon after for the remainder of the school year, we all settled in for the long haul. Every other public building closed and all events were canceled as the virus spread.

The question on every mind eventually evolved into this: how long? When will it be safe to open our shuttered stores and institutions? A restlessness is growing in the land.

A groundswell of pressure is building. We sense it in politicians’ st...