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And the numbers keep going up -- more than 13 million cases and 271,000 deaths in the United States since March due to COVID-19.
Let's face it, this pandemic has presented a long road to haul and it's not over yet, though there is hope ahead in a vaccine that is getting ever closer.
But right now, there is a share of anxiety and stress in medical facilities, officials at both UPMC Susquehanna and Geisinger have told the Sun-Gazette.
They are managing the situation and monitoring the numbers by the day, but they should not have to do it alone.
We should all take part in managing the spread in our local communities.
Sure, it's been tough to live without our traditional gatherings and with curtailed activities. The new routines of social distancing, masking and hand washing have gotten old. Quarantining and working from home are tough. We wonder when it will end. We yearn for normalcy.
Dr. Rutul Dalal, UPMC Susquehanna infectious diseases medical director, calls it "COVID fatigue."
"We have been battling it since March and now it is almost the end of the year," he said, urging folks not to let down their guard at this point.
And by all means, take it seriously. Not everyone who gets it will end up in an intensive care unit, but every person who gets it may unwittingly spread it to others.
"There are people who don't understand that even if they feel well, they may not be well," said Dr. Gerald Maloney, Geisinger chief medical officer of hospital services.
So that sniffle that seems minor may not be taken seriously by the person who feels otherwise healthy, but it can be disastrous to another person -- or a classroom or a workplace.
The experts advise quarantining, not just testing.
Dalal said anyone who comes in contact with somebody who has tested positive should isolate themselves for up to 14 days.
Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.
"The frustrating thing is that this doesn't have to happen," Dalal said.
We'd like to suggest that the best gift to give this holiday season would be to join the fight and help the healthcare heroes who are on the frontlines day in and day out.
"If we want to find a way to thank them, wear your mask and don't make them work so hard," Dalal said.
And stay home.
"There will always be another Christmas and another New Year's," Dalal added. "Life once lost is lost forever."
We believe the good doctor speaks the truth, if only people would listen.