The last few days have brought both new opportunities and new orders for dealing with the COVID pandemic as we approach another indoor season. If there was ever a time to be an informed consumer and citizen, it's now.

It is welcome news that nursing homes may now allow indoor visits with residents, with the lifting of restrictions in place since last spring. Following a Medicare directive, the state Department of Public Health announced new guidelines, effective immediately, for visits from families, clergy, social workers and others. Each nursing home must create and enforce procedures for safe contact — most of which will be familiar from the practices of social distancing, hand washing, and wearing masks that have become second nature.

However, the message that COVID relentlessly sends is that no one can afford complacency. While schools have been operating well with their safety models, the Ledge Light Health District reported Sunday that 45 new cases had been reported since Friday in the eight towns it serves. Most were among young people.

The risks remain high, the challenges persist, and a vaccine is still off on the horizon. For the good of old and young, we have to use all the tools we have. Wear a mask, wash your hands, keep your distance.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.