After almost two years of pandemic measures, including lockdowns, masking, the near universal vaccination of adults, and the requirement to carry digital passports to enjoy basic freedoms like going to a restaurant (even that freedom is currently suspended for the vaccinated), it’s reasonable for people to question the value of restrictions and mandates.
The front line workers dutifully mask up each day and work under strained conditions. Children and adults have lost their sense of community and their range of healthy outlets, from sports to performing in plays to having get-togethers with friends and family. Yes we’ve had a big surge of Omicron cases, but the impacts are mostly flu-like, certainly on the vaccinated. A third of my organization got Covid over the holidays and all recovered, including those with underlying health problems. Our ICU’s are still under 80% capacity. Covid isn’t going away, but our rights and freedoms have been compromised for so long in this battle against one disease, that I do believe we’ve lost all perspective
What about all the non-Covid impacts? We’ll be dealing with the education gaps and fallout to mental health for years. People have the means to protect themselves. In a democracy we have to believe that most people can make informed decisions without being told how to live.
Britain, Ireland, and many US states are moving on. They’ve decided to restore their freedoms, accept that Covid isn’t going anywhere, and manage serious Covid cases through treatments. It probably means boosting our hospital capacity, which we can do.
Our screening and testing is making asymptomatic people and their household members stay home, causing needless staff shortages. We need to start treating Covid like other illnesses. Treat serious cases. If you’re sick, stay home as you would for any sickness. If we can’t pivot our approach, we will indeed be stuck in pandemic conditions indefinitely. At this point it’s a political decision. Other countries and jurisdictions are making that decision.