Is COVID over? That is the question. And the answer depends on whom you ask. Here are three recent responses:
When will the COVID-19 pandemic end? Soon, according to this news item. (https://www.mckinsey.com/)
“Omicron has spread around the world, caused record peaks in cases in many places, and is now declining just as quickly. After the short, sharp shock of Omicron, the pandemic phase of COVID-19 looks to be ending for most locations, unless a significant and severe new variant emerges.”
Not any time soon according to this one—Second Wave of COVID-19 Arrives in Haiti (https://care2communities.org/)
“While the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic progressed much more slowly in Haiti than the rest of the world, it appears that a recent second wave has caused an increase in panic as cases surge, causing the government to declare a state of emergency. Haiti has had 13,735 confirmed cases and 280 deaths in total, with 111 new cases reported just yesterday.”
We’re not so sure, says a third—What is the new COVID-19 variant BA.2, and will it cause another wave of infections in the US? (https://theconversation.com/)
“While its origin is still unclear, BA.2, new omicron subvariant of the virus that causes COVID-19, is quickly becoming the predominant source of infections amid rising cases around the world.”
So, the answer to Is COVID over? Is no, not yet. Will it ever be over?
“The end of coronavirus felt near after the widespread introduction of vaccines a year ago, too, and then came the delta variant, and then omicron. Two years into the coronavirus pandemic, we have learned not to declare victory over this cursed microscopic foot-massager.
Looks like the answer is NO.
“If ‘go away’ means permanently gone, I think that the answer is no,” said Dr. Peter Matthew Samet. “We already have routinely circulating coronaviruses that contribute to the common cold,” Samet added, “though, near-universal immunization with vaccines capable of conferring prolonged immunity could change that.”
Looks like we are going to have to learn to live with it.
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