The area is seeing a rash of new cancellations as the COVID-19 shutdown stretches into May.

The Celoron Ribfest, Great Blue Heron Festival and area Memorial Day parades have all been cancelled. It’s a reminder that, as much as everyone wants to see the economy reopened, simply reopening doesn’t mean life automatically returns to normal.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo talked has several times this week mentioned not opening “attractive nuisances” like the festivals, concerts and regional attractions that Western New York is known.

“We don’t want to create a situation where people flood an area because they are looking for something do do,” Cuomo said.

That notion makes some sense, though as we mentioned yesterday the idea makes more sense if rural Western New York begins its phased reopening earlier than the Buffalo region. Keeping events closed is a way to keep those who live in areas with high numbers of COVID-19 infections out of areas where the virus isn’t as prevalent.

The idea of keeping “attractive nuisances” closed raises some questions about how Chautauqua County’s economy will function this year. How many of our businesses will be able to be open without our “attractive nuisances?” The governor’s musings make one wonder about two of the summer’s biggest attractions — Chautauqua Institution and the annual LucyFest in Jamestown. Will summer favorites like Midway State Park or even playgrounds be able to be open?

Each answer brings more questions. And that, unfortunately, is our new normal.