Hello, fellow ostriches.
Can I entice you just a little to pull your head out of your a….?
Because despite what you often hear and what you so desperately want- the pandemic is NOT over.
We can expect a new wave- this time for variant BA.2- to overwhelm us shortly. (More than 35% of all new cases in the USA are the omicron variant BA.2!) it already is doing so around the world.
Our 7-day vaccination rate is now down to some 180,000 a day- about the lowest it’s ever been since we started providing inoculations. 53 days ago, we were averaging more than 690,000 shots day. And, that’s despite the fact that only 65% of us Americans are “fully” vaccinated. (Hmm. Fully vaccinated according to the government is two shots. According to me, it’s 3.) Less than 45% of us have received ONE booster shot. (By the time you read this, I am fairly certain the recommendation is going to be two booster shots for the immunocompromised and those over 50 [not that they are mutually exclusive, either]).
And, while the original vaccines have been less effective at precluding our development of COVID-19 with these new omicron variants, it has been eminently capable of ensuring that only mild cases are contracted for those with THREE (see why two doses shouldn’t be considered fully vaccinated?) doses of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
I mean it was just last week when I warned you the most likely complication from developing COVID-19 was contracting Type II diabetes, right? Within one year of COVID-19 manifestation.
Can you imagine what the next pandemic will bring?
I don’t know about you, but I’m still wearing my mask when I go grocery shopping, visit the drug store, go to shul, etc. And, hoping to get my fourth dose this very week- or next week at the latest.
By the way, NATO was formed today 73 years ago. And, the Reverend Martin Luther King was assassinated today 54 years ago today in Memphis, TN.
As of April 1st all measurements have been lifted in Switzerland. Like you I’m still wearing my mask in the train and at the doctor’s office. Most of the people in my environment who are vaccinated and boostered still got the Omicron. Not me though, and I plan on keeping it that way.
Glad to see you are taking precautions to protect yourself!
I agree, Roy. Fully vaxed means at least 3 and I am wearing a mask. I’ve seen too many people suffering to think that this is over.
Especially, when we see those numbers from the wasterwater collections, Victoria.
You are not alone. My husband and I have this conversation every day.
“The pandemic is not over,”
We still wear masks everywhere. (I am immunocompromised so it’s a no-brainer around here). I received my 4th shot around 1 month ago. It’s scary how much everyone seems to have forgotten.
And even when it is declared endemic, we will still need to take precautions. It will be interesting to see how everyone reacts with the next wave…
Great obdservations and comments, Dominique. Thanks for your unique take.
I’m fully vaccinated according to you, have had 3 vaccines and waiting for 4 if it comes out. Also still wear masks in public, Lia always asks if we have our masks as we leave the car! WOW 54 years ago, where has the time gone?
Glad to see you are taking care of yourself- and your family! Great going, Martha!
We still wear our masks when in stores or other public indoor places (my teenager is certainly the most diligent of us all and ensures we all have masks with us when we leave home for wherever).. all of us have had our three shots and my husband will be the first one eligible for the fourth one
Best to be safe, Vidya!