The chaos from Omicron might be fading, but the turbulence ahead could be worse

[Jilly_in_VA]

Opinion by Kent Sepkowitz

Here we go again: Covid-19 cases are falling in nearly every state, spring is in the air and everyone is getting restless. Some have even gone so far as to let us know they are done with the pandemic or at least ready to move away from the problem.

Though the chaos created by the now-fading Omicron variant was quite frightening, I suspect the turbulence ahead will be worse. During the height of Omicron's surge, many returned to working from home, were careful to don masks when in public and cut down on unnecessary public outings.

Now with something like normalcy within grasp again, the pace and specifics of how best to resume workaday life are under the microscope. Though this should be a time of thankfulness -- society did not collapse despite the record-breaking charge of the rampaging virus -- it rather has created a serious predicament for the public health leaders tasked with moving the country forward.

The problem is simple: Though the public has learned many things about viruses, epidemiology and the human immune system over the past two years, many still seem unwilling to accept that what works for today's facts may not work for tomorrow's. Any shift in guidance or perspective is considered weak and waffling, playing politics or flat-out betrayal.

Experts know that right now, in many areas, peeling back the precautions is safe, if done cautiously, which is why we are seeing mask mandates easing in many states, including New York. These actions can help the public gain confidence and provide useful information should another variant of concern emerge.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/14/opinions/covid-restrictions-variants-sepkowitz/index.html

[Chainfire]

1. I won't quit wearing masks in public until my doctor does.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. Our stupid governor (Dumbkin)

signed an order making masks optional in schools. Last night in my vet assistant class the instructor told us masks were now optional but she intended to keep wearing hers anyway (the school is part of the county school system). To a person, we all said we were keeping ours on. Two of our class members are pregnant and said they wear theirs any time they go anywhere. The rest of us agreed we've just gotten pretty used to it. I'll probably wear mine next winter if I get sick or if there's an epidemic of anything.

[appalachiablue]

3. K/R. They'll have to 'pry my mask from my cold, dead hands' lol

[dalton99a]

4. Republicans have made public health officials enemies of the people.