March 15,2022
Beware the idles of March
We passed the 2 year anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic on March 11. At this point 2 years ago, we in Seattle prepared for a huge surge that never came. By March 15, I was already writing about rumors and disinformation, which has been as big a factor in the pandemic as the virus itself. Here we are 2 years later, with hopes that the pandemic is winding down. We are seeing a drop in cases and deaths. Many places have dropped their mask mandates. People are traveling again, going to restaurants and concerts. Meeting up with people they haven’s seen in 2 years.
Is this how it will end? Some people have ideas by looking at past epidemics. They suspect that the end will be a drawn out process, sort of like what we are experiencing with our different surges caused by different variants. Will a new one come along to set us back?
Probably, but we are in a very different place than we were two years ago. In the beginning we still didn’t know who was at highest risk and how it was truly spread. Now we have safe and effective vaccines and better management of the seriously ill, including the use of ECMO which was remarkably effective. Data shows masking works (especially N95s and KN95s) and we have a good supply of them. We know the people at highest risk includes the elderly, the immunocompromised, those with underlying health conditions, especially if unvaccinated. We can target effective treatments that we now have. Whew. These are remarkable achievements.
We are shifting to our next phase. But what does that mean? Many will continue to wear masks for their safety and their loved ones. Travel will continue to be a place with exposure risk and people wonder how to keep safe?
Many people who are immunocompromised feel left out and uncertain still. Others are happy to ditch their face coverings. Choosing to still wear masks is still an option. I will keep wearing masks at stores and traveling and other high risk places. I will admit that some parts of the country can make that hard.
Keep in mind new variants are simmering and starting to show. Staying aware is a good idea. Complacency could lead to risky situations, especially if you or loved ones are at risk. Don’t be idle in your complacency! (I had to get my Ides of March joke in there somewhere.)
I am happy to be where we are right now. I have been around trusted people unmasked and it feels good.
Wash your hands, cover your nose when needed, stay alert to warning signs of new variants, but be alive and enjoy life!
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.medpagetoday.com/criticalcare/generalcriticalcare/97603
https://bostonreview.net/articles/jeremy-greene-dora-vargha-how-epidemics-end-or-dont/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/how-will-covid-end-experts-look-to-past-epidemics-for-clues/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/how-has-the-covid-19-pandemic-changed-after-two-years/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/king-county-health-officials-shift-covid-response-to-next-phase-of-coexistence/
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/health-experts-offer-strategies-on-the-covid-travel-precautions-to-keep/
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/masks-off-not-everyone-will-be-baring-their-faces-as-seattle-area-drops-the-mandate/
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/covids-new-deltacron-variant-whats-known-and-what-isnt/
https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/health/covid-rising-uk-us/index.html