I was watching the morning news and noticed that more New Mexico counties are achieving the yellow or green color categories that allow businesses less restrictions and an opportunity to reopen on a limited scale. This is good news. We have all been following the colors in hope that one day the whole state will re-open.
As I drove through town the other day, I came upon a traffic light that was yellow and then quickly changed to red. Normally people try to beat the red by speeding through the yellow. This has caused many accidents. I was thinking (I know…here we go again) that if the light changed from red to yellow then green maybe people would wait the extra moment and use more caution before the green light comes on. And if we use more caution when in the yellow category we can get to green safer, and perhaps for a longer period of time.
Counties hurrying to achieve green may benefit by this option, instead of trying to get in all the events they can when the color is yellow, perhaps ultimately forcing the color to red. HMMM.
Remember the children’s game Red Light, Green Light? Our daughters remember it; they played it at school as well. People lined up, side-by-side, can only advance forward when the teacher or caller said, “green light.” As soon as the caller said, “red light,” one must stop. If you stumble or continue going forward, you start again.
Sound familiar? Watch the color categories each day, especially after holidays or gatherings. It was simple enough and there was no yellow color in school to forewarn that red that would come at any time. But we have the numbers, so like the game, one needs to follow instructions or start over.
I am as anxious for this pandemic to end as we all are. And when it does and we get the green light and I’m not yellow about going to my favorite restaurant to get a heaping plate of enchiladas, I’ll ask: ”make mine with red please!”