March 1, 2022
Fat Tuesday
On a more normal note, Mardi Gras returns to Louisiana today. The last full Mardi Gras was two years ago, just as COVID-19 was rearing its ugly head. That celebration probably accounted for the big number of cases in Louisiana and New Orleans in the first couple of months of the pandemic.
Other signs point to a loosening of the pandemic. Cases are down. Mask requirements are being lifted across the country in most states. The CDC is lifting masking recommendations as well. Travel will become easier. Cases fell quickly, as predicted, with Omicron. Right now loosening mandates makes some sense because of the decrease in infections. For many reasons this is both a welcome event and nerve wracking.
Everyday I hear of people getting infected, despite this drop in cases. The Prime Minister of Australia is infected, Queen Elizabeth of the UK is still recovering. My conscientious neighbors up the street were infected last week. Fortunately, all are doing well due to vaccines, although they said the symptoms sucked. We can only hope that a new variant doesn’t come screaming through to pull us backward. The end of the Omicron surge does not guarantee the end of the pandemic, although things seem promising today.
The bigger questions become should we still wear masks after the mandates? Some hospital leaders think we should, in certain settings, especially health care settings and public transportation. Continuing to wear masks is an option, especially for people with immunocompromise and their loved ones. I plan to wear a mask when shopping and other high risk settings. Still nervous about eating in a restaurant indoors. This New York Times article is worth reading with good advice on how to look at your own situation. It is also in The Seattle Times.
Staying sensible is still recommended. I am starting to feel a little safer, especially around my friends and family who I know are vaccinated and sensible. I also know how to access the medical treatments available. The new Pfizer pill, Paxlovid, can treat mild to moderate COVID, especially when started soon after symptoms begin, decreasing risk of hospitalization by 88%. Like Tamiflu for influenza, it aids recovery as well. Supplies are improving, 20 million doses are ordered. It is both more affordable and easier to access than monoclonal antibodies. Ask for it or other treatment, if you are at risk and have a positive COVID test. Knowing these treatments are available can help ease anxiety as these mandates ease and people’s behavior relaxes.
Wash your hands, still cover your nose when you think you need to, and know the name Paxlovid (or at least how to find the name) if needed.
And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available, and not related to the organization I work for. Thanks for reading.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/us/mardi-gras-returns-new-orleans.html
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/new-orleans-hosts-its-1st-full-dress-mardi-gras-since-2020/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/gov-inslee-will-lift-washingtons-covid-19-mask-requirements-on-march-12-after-change-to-federal-guidelines/
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/03/01/world/covid-19-tests-cases-vaccine#michigan-illinois-and-parts-of-hawaii-join-the-list-of-places-that-are-easing-virus-restrictions
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/australian-prime-minister-diagnosed-with-covid-19/
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/experts-warn-that-end-of-omicron-surge-is-not-end-of-pandemic/
https://www.nytimes.com/article/mask-mandates-guidelines.html
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/should-you-still-wear-a-mask-after-mandates-lift-how-to-tackle-that-choice/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/hospital-leaders-encourage-indoor-masking-even-after-wa-mandates-end-march-12/
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/australian-prime-minister-diagnosed-with-covid-19/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-paxlovid-pill-monoclonal-antibodies-treatments/
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/12/fda-approves-pfizers-covid-19-pill-emergency-use
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/02/01/1075876794/feds-contract-with-pfizer-for-paxlovid-has-some-surprises