It’s difficult to watch a leader break the rules citizens are supposed to follow. But as Californians, we’ve seen it happen right in front of us. California Gov. Gavin Newsom didn’t abide by his own social distancing guidelines when he was found having dinner Nov. 6 with at least a dozen guests, none of whom were wearing masks. 

That, however, doesn't mean residents should reject the California Department of Health’s orders on the new curfew policy aimed at reversing the spike in cases – a jump that’s caused 41 counties to either stay at or regress to the most restrictive COVID-19 tier. 

Newsom’s violation comes extremely close to the governor’s new, quite flimsy curfew – which began Nov. 21 and will extend until at least Dec. 21. Given the attitude toward the pandemic is remiss, attempts like the curfew are just frivolous. Will the curfew accomplish any sustainable differences? After all, COVID-19 doesn’t just exist between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and this soft-ball approach is a weak preventative measure to counter those who refuse to acknowledge we are in a pandemic. 

The Nov. 19 curfew announcement comes right before we enter full speed into winter. As we saw from our last holiday, Halloween, cases of the coronavirus spiked in communities across the country, including California.

Unfortunately, this trend is likely to continue. With Thanksgiving on Nov. 25, we so badly want to have a big meal with our 20 to 30 extended family members. But we shouldn’t bend the rules for a simple holiday tradition that just screams COVID-19 cesspool.

To young people: this is not about you.

When you’re living near Chapman University with your roommates, partying and breaking social distancing may seem harmless. Maybe you’ve already contracted COVID-19 and you didn’t display any symptoms, or perhaps you experienced a mild cold for a week. 

Now imagine proceeding with that same level of reckless behavior by reconnecting with your hometown friends without mask-wearing prior to your Thanksgiving feast on Thursday. You’re absolutely ecstatic since you finally get to see your cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles and the kind-of-cool in-laws. But turns out you’re asymptomatic and you brought your selfishness and irresponsible actions home to your family members – ones who are most likely older and at a higher risk of contracting and dying from this virus.

We understand wanting to revitalize the relationships and appreciation you might have for your family, through a holiday that’s whole purpose is to give thanks to your loved ones. But if you’re intending on participating in a large Thanksgiving gathering, think twice before you go out to celebrate or reconnect with friends this holiday break. 

Are you willing to unknowingly kill other people – maybe your own family members – to gratify your own selfish need of immediate socialization?

Just wait it out. A vaccine is on the horizon. If we’ve learned anything from dystopian young adult novels, it’s that we have to make difficult decisions we may not like, but will be beneficial for the good of humanity. 

The virus won’t stop for you. The virus won’t stop for your family. And the virus sure as hell won’t stop for the holiday season.