Recently, another local newspaper printed an editorial that Ohio was overreacting to the coronavirus situation by closing public buildings to the public unless they have an appointment.

They questioned how the public can redress grievances if people are not let into the same room as our elected officials.

Simple, by phone or email. Or even old-fashioned devices, like a fax machine or writing a letter.

Our public officials are dealing with an epidemic situation that this nation hasn’t faced in more than 100 years and are trying hard to balance keeping the government running and keeping their workers safe. They are facing a hard reality that, while there are no reported cases of coronavirus in the area, there were 169 cases in 28 Ohio counties.

No one likes the current situation of schools, sporting events, hair salons, bars, restaurants, tattoo parlors and much more being closed, especially the 111,055 Ohioans who have applied for unemployment in just four days. No one wanted the primary election delayed until June, but no one wanted the senior citizens who make up much of the polling station workers and voters to get ill.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Public Health director Amy Acton have been working on this situation since their first announcement about the virus on Feb. 27.

DeWine said early that sacrifices would have to be made for the good of public health and to prevent the spread of the disease, especially among the most vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with comprised health.

So, if everything from Disneyland to basketball’s March Madness is canceled, it is not too much to ask that we order pick-up food rather than dining in.

As the old saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry.