Don’t test your luck with coronavirus. Skip the bars on St. Patrick’s Day in California

If St. Patrick were still alive today, he would say: “Don’t test your luck with the coronavirus.”

On March 17, many Americans tend to honor his memory by donning lucky green outfits and hitting the bars. Green beer, corned beef, cabbage and shamrock paraphernalia have become cornerstones of the alcohol-infused holiday.

This year, however, going out to the bars or attending crowded parties on St. Patrick’s Day is a terrible idea that could result in unintended consequences. Even Ireland has closed its pubs until further notice because, this year, it’s smarter to stay at home.

That’s because we must all work together to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That’s why Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Darrell Steinberg have called for bars to close – and for restaurants to reduce their capacity – at this time.

These strong requests from the governor and mayor are not yet being enforced with fines or legal action. But they are a strong signal to all Californians that lives are at stake. The urgent call for “social distancing” came as Italy reported 368 deaths in one day due to the virus, which is overwhelming hospitals there.

On Monday, President Donald Trump called on Americans to avoid gathering in groups of 10 or more and six Bay Area counties announced plans for a “shelter in place” order for all residents.

By taking measures to slow the virus’ spread, however, medical experts say we can “flatten the curve” and avoid overwhelming our hospitals. This increases the chances that victims with severe symptoms will get the medical treatment they need to survive.

It’s normal for healthy young people to feel invincible. It may be possible for some people to survive a coronavirus infection with mild, or even non-existent, symptoms. There’s no guarantee, however, and young people have also died from the horrific respiratory infection that destroys even healthy lungs.

But social distancing is not just about protecting ourselves – it’s about protecting others, too. Even if you think you can survive the infection, what about your family, friends and neighbors? What about the elderly, the vulnerable and those with compromised immune systems? Nobody wants to look back in a few weeks and wonder if their selfish, irresponsible behavior caused another person to become sick and, possibly, die.

In calling on Sacramento’s bars to shut down, Mayor Steinberg pointed to the difference between how two Italian cities approached the virus. Lodi, Italy, shut down its bars and restaurants on Feb. 23. Frignano, Italy, waited until March 8.

“The incidents of coronavirus spiked much higher for the city that waited for two weeks before they took the action that we are calling upon our city businesses and residences to take today,” Steinberg said.

This social distancing period will cause pain for many small businesses. Anyone who can afford to support their local restaurant or pub by ordering takeout or donating to a fundraiser to support employees should do so. We want these local businesses to be there for us when this virus passes, as it will.

The Sacramento City Council also voted to approve a $1 million economic relief package for small businesses in the city, and the mayor says there’s more to come.

In this public health emergency, each of us has a role to play. It takes courage, patriotism and empathy to make these sacrifices for the public good.

In the popular myth, St. Patrick heroically banishes all snakes from Ireland. This year, let’s honor his memory by keeping ourselves out of the bars and keeping the coronavirus away from our loved ones.

This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 1:11 PM.