Staying safe this Fourth of July weekend

Happy Thursday, readers.

As we (or at least those of us in the United States) prepare for the Independence Day holiday, I’d like to highlight what experts and government leaders say are the best ways to stay safe in the midst of the pandemic.

The idea of not being able to freely barbecue with friends and family without precautionary measures, or just head out to the beach, is unsettling. But it’s a reality many Americans will have to grapple with.

In Southern California (my own home turf before I became a New York transplant), cities have been forced to scale back—or scuttle entirely—their reopening plans over the long weekend. This isn’t a surprise given the growing case count in Los Angeles and its proximity to beach havens such as Orange County.

In New York, where cases have flattened after rapidly increasing in April, beaches are open for swimming—but with serious restrictions.

If you live somewhere with more lax considerations, or think that precautionary measures such as distancing and wearing masks are overblown, I would urge you to reconsider given the available evidence.

I enjoy America’s birthday just as much as anyone else. And that’s why it’s so important to protect yourself and anyone else you can in the midst of a crisis.

Happy Fourth of of July to all our readers, and we’ll see you again on Monday.

Sy Mukherjee
sayak.mukherjee@fortune.com
@the_sy_guy