The state-wide ban on plastic bags is barrelling at us, and more than a few Sullivan County folks are upset. As one so bluntly commented on the Democrat's Facebook page, the ban is seen by many as “stupid.” Others take the pessimistic view that banning plastic bags will increase shoplifting or drive shoppers away from retail establishments and toward the Internet.

We should have seen this coming.

Is there anything more likely to rile people up than telling them they can't do something?

Tell a child not to touch a hot stove, and they'll want nothing more than to place their palm right on the warmest spot.

Eventually, they learn not to touch it.

Bag bans are nothing new. California enacted legislation barring large retail establishments from doling out the bags way back in 2014. There's been no sign of increased shoplifting because of it, nor have grocery stores ceased to exist.

Californians adjusted. We will too.

We'll learn to get better about gathering the myriad canvas and nylon bags around the house and plopping them in the car trunk so we'll have them on hand when we have to pop into the store to replenish bread and milk.

We'll get better about evaluating the items that really don't need a bag and opting to cart the gallon of milk out the door by its handle.

We'll find better ways to line that bathroom garbage can. You know the one I'm talking about — the tiny one that seems tailor-made for a single-use plastic grocery bag.

We'll make it through, and on the other side we'll find a planet that's just a little bit better off because we tried.