We're Losing Track of COVID--and It's Going to Bite Us in the Ass

[Ms. Toad]

30. What is with all of the binary thinking around here?

The options aren't "perm lock down" versus do nothing.

For starters:

Return to the prior CDC assessments of community transmission. Virtually the entire US is now listed as safe, when the community level of disease is the same as it was in September, when most universities either went to remote for the start of the school year, or required masks and vaccinations.

Focus not only on preventing immediate dramatic consequences, but also on preventing transmission. Transmission creates variants (We're now on the 3rd omicron variant - and the early data suggests it is escaping the vaccination - more vaccinated individuals are dying than was initially believed.) Preventing transmission is critical not only to protecting the vulnerable among us, but also in preventing the creation of more variants, and preventing the long-term consequences of COVID - even among individuals who had mild cases.

Our leaders should be leading by example - wearing masks - especially in crowded indoor places. Talking about the reality that what we know about the long term consequences will fit in a thimble. Encouraging prevention of transmission - not merely preventing the worst of the immediate consequences.