Diary of a Pandemic 54

 Are we there yet?

The last time I wrote about the COVID-19 pandemic was at the end of 2021. We seemed to be finally transitioning out of the most dangerous phases. People were beginning to travel again, as we did for Christmas that year. Many had gone back to their jobs although the workplace was unalterably changed.

The infection was not through with us yet but there was confidence that the worst was behind us. It was not true, of course, as the worst wave hit us in January 2022. After another year and successive but less impactful waves, we may be getting back to “normal” as normal might be defined now.

Countries have now relaxed or done away completely with restrictions involving COVID-19. We are all relieved but still unsure whether we have seen the last of any major outbreaks.

Most people are resigned to living with COVID in the same way we do with the flu, hoping that another deadly variant does not come along. If it does, though, our systems should be ready for a wave of new infections.

Unfortunately, one of the lasting effects is not sickness but anger, from many who think their rights have been impinged on. Many still believe it was all a hoax. I am not sure how they explain how over 681 million people contracted COVID or almost seven million people died worldwide, according to the most recent counts which can be read here. 

Or why tens of thousands of people still contact the virus every day and many still die.

An article published by Katie Dangerfield for Global News Canada summarizes where we are at present. Read it here.

More than 51,000 Canadians lost their lives to the virus. People are still being hospitalized. Deaths are declining in number but that may be because so many of the most vulnerable (read “old”) are now gone. Greater than 70% of Canadians contracted the virus at least once. Officials now tell us that we are transitioning to an endemic state.

There can be no question that vaccines have prevented what could have been a repeat of previous viral infections, such as the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-19 when probably over 50 million people died. The world then did not have the protection and treatment we have today and we can thank scientists for that.

So, are we there yet? Have we reached safety?

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief health officer says, “We are now at a point in Canada where COVID-19 activity has reached a relatively steady state. In recent months there have been no distinct variant-driven waves. Over the past six to eight months COVID-19 hospitalizations have been relatively stable despite the ongoing spread of Omicron subvariants.”

It’s not over. It may never be over. But we are now living with COVID as we do with the flu and other infectious diseases.

My wife and I were lucky that we avoided contracting the virus. We are also part of the large group that got all the inoculations available to us. We are part of that most vulnerable group – Canadians older than 70.

There is no guarantee we won’t contract some infection but we take precautions offered to us in same we way we get flu shots every year.

The question now is:

Have we learned enough to avoid the worst aspects of the next pandemic?

Because Mother Nature is not finished with us!