Question: if COVID 19 evolves into something no more than a nuisance

[targetpractice]

10. That is mostly true...

Not arguing with you at all, RFCalifornia.. HIV is kind of a difficult comparison, because the transmission "process" is very complicated, compared to an airborne virus. And, HIV is transmissible (enough) by a host over many years, and is lethal eventually. Modern meds have changed the HIV scenario immensely.

There are many ways that COVID could mutate in the future... After years of a mild strain in the population, a new anti-body evading strain that happens to be more virulent (disease causing) may pop up, and that would cause a problem for us for some period of time... unless we somehow produce better/broader vaccines and anti-viral treatments.

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but as long as a COVID variant like Omicron, with a high R0 value (transmissibility value), is circulating in the population is a potential risk.

I think you are correct... COVID vaccines will probably be administered along with flu shots every year moving forward. And, a long as unvaccinated people remain susceptible to hospitalization, we have a disruptive societal problem.