Commentary
An 11th renewal of the federal government’s emergency declaration is ludicrous. Is this about midterm elections? Is this about the presidential elections in 2024? Is this now purely about politics and the drive to hold onto accrued power amassed with the lockdown lunacy?
Omicron as the current dominant variant and its subvariants (clades) is very mild for most people, even many high-risk people. They can adequately handle the infection and cope with it. The reality is that while Omicron can still present a challenge (as does seasonal influenza and common cold and a range of respiratory illnesses) to elderly persons and especially those with comorbidities (as well as obese persons, immune-compromised persons), it’s revealing itself to be no more severe than seasonal flu, and generally less so.Moreover, we have used repurposed therapeutics (as prophylactics and treatment) effectively and we have availability. We also know who is the at-risk group and how to effectively manage, and hospitals were given hundreds of billions of dollars in PPE, PPP, and COVID relief money to prepare. They are prepared.