We are about five days into a modified Phase 3 of Gov. Roy Cooper’s plan for reopening the state’s economy, which has been in lockdown since March because of COVID-19.

And if anything deserves a half-hearted “Hooray!” from the people of Robeson County it’s Phase 3. Let’s face it, if you look around with open eyes and an objective mind it’s very likely you won’t see any noticeable changes from what was happening before the Sept. 30 proclamation.

Cooper may have made some people feel better, and that counts for something. But local government and business seem less than impressed. They almost universally called it little more than “a step in the right direction.”

Granted movie theaters can allow patrons into theaters at 30% capacity or 100 guests per screen, whichever is less. But how many movie theaters are there in Robeson County, and will owners think the patronage limit makes opening up economically feasible?

Another Phase 3 biggy is outdoor amusement parks can operate at 30% capacity, but must adhere to the state’s mass gathering limits, which remains at 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Again, how many people are going to rush to the nearest amusement park knowing that only 50 people at a time will be allowed in?

Then there is the outdoor sporting events clause. Venues with more than 10,000 seats can operate at 7% capacity, while those with 10,000 or fewer seats can open to 100 people or operate at 30% capacity, whichever is less. Again, will the limitations persuade UNCP to allow fans at football games and run the risk of more COVID infection, while knowing the financial gains may be minimal? The reward versus risk question is even greater for high schools.

As has been said, Phase 3 is “a step in the right direction.”

But will one step forward lead to two steps back? The COVID-19 case numbers in Robeson County and the rest of the state have been improving over the past few weeks. But during the same news conference at which Cooper announced Phase 3, state Department of Health and Human Services Director Mandy Cohen played a big “but” card. She warned the state’s progress in dealing with COVID-19 is “fragile.”

Translation: At the first sign the state is experiencing a resurgence of positive cases, she and the governor will lock down the state again. The few newfound freedoms granted by Cooper, who took them away to protect us from the virus, will be rescinded, and we’re back to the dark days of spring.

Remember, the flu season is upon us, and it is not beyond the realm of possibility that some flu cases will be counted as COVID cases, thus contributing to a new surge.

Also remember that governmental agencies and politicians across the nation were given unprecedented new power to battle the health scourge that is COVID-19. And power is addictive. And while the following is no specific indictment of anyone currently serving, agency leaders and politicians are human, subject to the same whims and frailties that plague us all. These leaders and politicians may decide they need to keep their near-dictatorial powers so they can protect us from such public health threats as climate change, or racism.

Let’s hope that nightmare doesn’t come true. Until then, enjoy the new, minimal freedoms.