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One of the first things I learned how to do at The SNAP was how to type an obit.

It is a simple task for some, but others have difficulty with it. You have to put feelings aside. Dealing with death is not easy.

A true obituary is one written by a staff member about a notable person. As I mentioned in a column in April, we’ve had many of those notables appear lately.

I don’t know if any of them died from COVID-19. We have four deaths confirmed through the health department. Those are four too many, but it could be worse.

And it still can be.

The Boston Globe published 21 pages of death notices last weekend. I think they had 15 the week before.

To put that in perspective, I think our record is 21 notices in one edition — and that was many years ago. Even with ads, seeing two and a half to three pages with just obits is not a pleasant sight.

We are not out of this pandemic, and we more than likely will see a second wave during the fall or winter.

The wave could happen earlier the more restless people get.

It is crazy seeing all these businesses in Georgia opening back up when the hardest time for that state hasn’t happened yet according to many of the predicting models.

Is it really worth risking your life to get a haircut? Or to go bowling?

Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday said: “North Carolinians have made tremendous sacrifices and it is making a difference.”

“We need to keep up the actions that will slow the spread of the virus,” NC DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen added. “The good news is that we know we can do this. If we stay home now to protect our loved ones and our communities, we can put ourselves on a path to begin easing restrictions and moving forward as planned.”

North Carolina has more than 10,000 lab-confirmed cases and more 375 deaths due to COVID-19.

I do not know how to put it any simpler. There are many of us who have underlying health conditions. We need to do everything we can to protect ourselves from this “invisible man.”

B.J. Drye is editor of The Stanly News & Press. Call 704-982-2123, or follow bjdrye1 on Twitter.