Store owners, restaurateurs, and many others ask themselves these questions as a new wave of restrictions go into place this week.

So many longtime community cornerstones have already closed their doors for good over the past few months. The unemployment lines will continue to grow as policy forces more to shut down.

We all know there’s a real risk of getting sick and we want to do everything that we can to prevent that, but what happens when there’s nothing left to sacrifice?

Shutting down in the beginning seemed like a noble thing to do as a way to protect our neighbors and families.

After months of struggle and creativity some business were able to make it work, PPP and EIDL loans have mostly run dry at this point. Now that winter is just about here, patio seating and outdoor events are not possible. Some have looked to tents and enclosures as a possible solution, however the cost of heating far outweighs the amount of revenue these ideas could generate. The winter months are long and there does not seem to be a way to shut down again and survive.

More and more businesses have decided to defy the new restrictions and face whatever fines and consequences that may come out of keeping the doors open. Because they don’t have any other choice.

Just today the Illinois High School Association’s board of directors made the decision to start the 20-21 Basketball season as planned, in defiance of the governor’s guidelines.

At some point people must make their own decisions based on the best interest of their family. If we keep things moving in the direction that they are going, we won’t have anything left to protect.

Next time you want to make a purchase, choose a local small business. They need it more now than ever before.