COVID finally arrived in our household last week. It wasn’t a question of if, but when it would show up. Certainly, after Omicron came on the scene. So far, it was only one of us, and it only produced mild symptoms. It was the member of our household who had not been boosted yet, which seems to make a noticeable difference. We used at-home tests and Board of Health tests to confirm negative results on others, and we got through without too much trouble. Time off from school was probably the most annoying part of the whole ordeal. I count that as a blessing, after seeing what so many families have dealt with.
Our COVID fatigue is certainly growing again. This latest surge has been so fast and so widespread (and likely underreported) that every business is feeling it at the same time. The sheer numbers of people infected at the same time have led to record-setting hospitalizations across the country, and they haven’t peaked yet. Hospitalizations will always lag a week or two behind case counts and the latter haven’t peaked yet either. The percentage of people who have serious side effects (versus prior strains – it can still make people pretty sick) still seems to be lower (thanks to vaccines and previous immunity), but it’s the sheer numbers that create the hospital system crunches. There is still some uncertainty about this current strain, though. It is unknown if it will trigger “long covid” at the rate other strains caused. There are promising indicators that vaccines also lower such chances.
Magnifying the challenges of this particular wave is that Omicron is knocking out more hospital staffers, meaning more patients and less staff is a problem. Also exacerbating the situation is the reality that with more hospitals filling up at the same time, supplies and drugs aren’t as readily available compared to previous surges that came in waves. Prior rolling waves meant supplies could follow the wave. When they are needed everywhere all at once, it’s harder to access all the tools a hospital needs to treat the serious cases.
So there are challenges, but also much to celebrate as we learn more about this virus and how to live with it. Because, unfortunately, we have to live with it for a bit longer. It’s not as scary as it used to be, which is a wonderful thing. It allows people to live their lives more freely and openly. No one knows when normal will be normal again, but we know that it feels good to be out and about without the same level of fear about what might come from an infection. Those with certain conditions are still practicing vigilance, but most of us have learned to breathe easier, figuratively, and literally.
We’re headed towards endemic COVID. We’ll know we’re there when strains of this bug don’t overwhelm the hospitals so easily. Eventually, the hypothesis goes, it will be just one more virus that makes the rounds but doesn’t upend everything. In terms of our immune systems, it’s still somewhat novel, but eventually it won’t be. It will be second nature and part of our normal defenses to ward it off. Oh, won’t that be a great day when it comes?
In John’s Gospel, Jesus once said, “You’ll always have the poor with you,” which is how it feels with COVID! Sometimes people take those words to mean we don’t have to worry about poverty; we’ll never be able to end it, so don’t waste time trying. The truth of Jesus’ meaning, however, is in realizing that he was referring to a Hebrew scripture passage that went on to say, “therefore go help the poor!” The endemic nature of poverty is an opportunity to be generous and serve those who need it. I pray that however long it lasts, we’ll find ways to serve one another in the face of this pandemic, even as it drags on and wears on us. We might not like it, but we’re still in this together.
Tom+
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Photo Credits: Covid Chart, by Konstanty Wies, and Covid travel by Bunlue Nantaprom, via Dreamstime.com subscription.