This is the first weekend that many Oregonians are going to feel free of the coronavirus pandemic, as mask mandates end statewide.

But even without masks, this pandemic is still very much a concern for a lot of us. Healthcare workers, who are still struggling to keep COVID-19 patients alive today. Small business owners who are barely hanging on after two years of accruing debts. Immunocompromised Oregonians, who still can’t take part in the simplest routines. And so many people who are still dealing with the fresh grief of losing the nearly seven thousand Oregonians who have died in this pandemic.

For those of us, the right answer might be to scream.