In recent weeks we have seen states roll back on the CDC guidance in response to reported reductions in the new covid cases and increased vaccination rates. Some state legislatures have even passed legislation removing mask mandates based on calendar dates rather than reality. Such legislation may not reflect local needs as covid rates may vary based on population demographics and behaviors.
There seems to be a rush to getting back to normal, or some type of pre-covid normalcy. I am not sure what that will look like, but it will not be the same for millions. Every night the news reports a roll up of covid statistics to include new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Before contracting covid and being hospitalized these statistics were just numbers as I and my family had not been directly affected. To date 5 of my 7 immediate family members have had covid. Thank God, I was to only one who was hospitalized.
As I thought more about the covid daily roll ups they reminded me about news reports in the 1960-70s about the number of US soldiers, sailors, and marines who killed each day during the Vietnam War and more recently Iraq and Afghanistan. For many, except to draft age young men and their families, the Vietnam numbers were probably background noise. For me they became real when I volunteered for the draft in 1971. My draft number was high, so my volunteering probably kept someone else from getting drafted; but mother still cried when I boarded the bus to leave. It was the first time I ever saw her cry.
To date over 500,000 people have lost their lives to covid.
Their deaths have affected their families and communities forever. We are approaching over 1 million hospitalizations because of covid. We have exceeded 30 million people diagnosed with covid. Data suggests that over 3/4 of those hospitalized will experience long term physical and psychological effects. Recent data also suggests up to 1/3 of those diagnosed with covid but not hospitalized may experience long term effects. Does that sound like a return to normal to you?
