We hope Chautauqua County residents are paying close attention to what happens in neighboring Warren County, Pa.

Pennsylvania has included Warren County in counties that are moved to the “Yellow Phase” of reopening starting today. Some businesses remain closed — including restaurants and bars except for takeout, and entities such as gyms, casinos and theaters — and large gatherings remain prohibited. Those restrictions would be removed in the “Green Phase,” which would require businesses and individuals to comply with “CDC and PA Department of Health Guidelines.” Stores are asked to continue with no-contact options, employees are asked to work from home if possible and people should “stay physically away from one another” as much as possible. Churches in reopening counties will be limited to 25 people.

There are many here in Chautauqua County chomping at the bit to begin reopening businesses. There are others who are more comfortable to wait for more testing capacity and a decrease in hospitalizations in Erie County to begin reopening. Some of the fears we hear about reopening businesses and relaxing some of the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions may be resolved seeing how things go in Warren County. After all, Chautauqua County has much more in common with our neighbors to the south than we do with our neighbors to the north.

Right now, our area is dealing in hypotheticals whether one is in favor of reopening or not. How does one prove that positive COVID-19 cases will or won’t surge if restrictions are lifted? Warren County, then, provides us our first up-close information on how a gradual bit of reopening will impact transmission of COVID-19.

Let’s cross our fingers that all goes well.