It stopped being a pandemic once it became endemic. Or do you argue that we’re in a flu pandemic because it comes back every year? And sure, the vaccines did help a lot. But the virus that causes Covid also mutated into less severe strains. Just like with the flu, there can always be a more deadly mutation again. But right now the current strains and the fact that almost everybody had it and/or got vaccinated make Covid about as bad as the seasonal flu. And just like the flu it keeps being monitored, vaccines get updated and should it come back in force, we are much better equipped than in 2020.
For example the CDC and similar organizations in Europe. There is no clear definition of what a pandemic is or when a disease becomes endemic. Even the WHO alleges that. As we have no vaccine that would allow us to eradicate Sars-Cov-2 and because the infection numbers are somewhat seasonal I am heavily inclined to follow those experts that call it endemic. It’s also important to note that endemic does not equal harmless. Of course we need to research the long-lasting effects and still find ways to deal with them. But I, and apparently most health experts, don’t see a need to keep up the awful restrictions from five years ago.
Wow, I didn’t know the US CDC has declared it endemic. Fair enough. I personally don’t follow the CDC, would not be sure they’re not compromised by the administration. Hard to trust any official line from the US these days.
COVID sure isn’t seasonal though, it’s year round and has many waves. I wish it would settle but so far nope.
I haven’t seen anyone call for the restrictions like in 2020. What I’m seeing are people calling for clean air and masking in health centers, as well as offering remote working and virtual events. All very reasonable, sensible, and doable.
Research into the long term effects is already fairly substantial, showing brain damage, vascular damage, and immune damage.
Not being the same threat is largely due to vaccines which are being restricted, and it being a different threat doesn’t mean it’s no threat.
Also, it is still a pandemic, only the emergency phase ended.
It stopped being a pandemic once it became endemic. Or do you argue that we’re in a flu pandemic because it comes back every year? And sure, the vaccines did help a lot. But the virus that causes Covid also mutated into less severe strains. Just like with the flu, there can always be a more deadly mutation again. But right now the current strains and the fact that almost everybody had it and/or got vaccinated make Covid about as bad as the seasonal flu. And just like the flu it keeps being monitored, vaccines get updated and should it come back in force, we are much better equipped than in 2020.
I look to the WHO who say it’s still a pandemic, where do you get endemic from?
For example the CDC and similar organizations in Europe. There is no clear definition of what a pandemic is or when a disease becomes endemic. Even the WHO alleges that. As we have no vaccine that would allow us to eradicate Sars-Cov-2 and because the infection numbers are somewhat seasonal I am heavily inclined to follow those experts that call it endemic. It’s also important to note that endemic does not equal harmless. Of course we need to research the long-lasting effects and still find ways to deal with them. But I, and apparently most health experts, don’t see a need to keep up the awful restrictions from five years ago.
Wow, I didn’t know the US CDC has declared it endemic. Fair enough. I personally don’t follow the CDC, would not be sure they’re not compromised by the administration. Hard to trust any official line from the US these days.
COVID sure isn’t seasonal though, it’s year round and has many waves. I wish it would settle but so far nope.
I haven’t seen anyone call for the restrictions like in 2020. What I’m seeing are people calling for clean air and masking in health centers, as well as offering remote working and virtual events. All very reasonable, sensible, and doable.
Research into the long term effects is already fairly substantial, showing brain damage, vascular damage, and immune damage.