Covid cases in the US remain low, but at a plateau. That may sound good, but more than 400 people a day continue to die from Covid and it remains the 4th leading cause of death in the US.
The story is quite different in other parts of the world, particularly Singapore and most of Europe, where numbers are on the rise. 54 countries followed by the WHO (World Health Organization) reported continued rises in Covid case numbers and 14 have had at least 20% rise in the last 2 weeks. 2 European countries in particular, France and now Germany, have serious spikes. In Germany, there is a clear relationship between new cases and Octoberfest celebrations. My youngest son is studying rocket science in college. His homework looks like something from Einstein’s blackboard. The pandemic is not rocket science!!!! Hang out in a tent with a bunch of drunk revelers, and transmission is inevitable.
Although Omicron 5 still predominates in the US, accounting for 80% of new cases, there are 3 or 4 newer, even more resistant sub variants arising around the world. They have complicated numerical names like BQ 1.1 and others not worth trying to memorize, but they each can take off at any time.
As we have seen with every surge of this pandemic, what happens in Europe, eventually happens here. And unfortunately, our healthcare system is already stretched thin.
There are many other pathogens out there, including many other viruses wreaking havoc on schools and hospitals. This is all in an environment where many healthcare workers have left healthcare, hospitals are short staffed and anything which increases any kind of illness, be it Covid, Flu or other, will throw us into a new real crisis. In my area, 2 hospitals have closed and it is not unusual to wait as long as 12 hours in the ER waiting room or wait many months to see a specialist. I know my friends and family in Canada would respond that those kinds of wait times are the norm in their healthcare system, but us spoiled, impatient Americans want our Umpa Lumpa, and we want it now! (Willie Wonka reference in case you didn’t recognize it).
I am not in favor of new lockdowns. This has clearly been devastating to many people, especially this generation of kids. But we also can’t just continue our lives as if nothing is going on. Prudent masking, avoiding crowded places, staying away if you have any symptoms of illness… These are all behaviors which protect everyone.
Please remain careful.
Stay Safe and Be Well.
AC