Omicron and I'm-a-gonna-cry

Here we go. Again. COVID-19 is now a Frankenstein mutant––with a Spike protein with thirty new mutations; this variant of the global killer, Omicron, can evade the human immune system despite vaccination and boosters.

Fortunately, the vast majority of breakthrough infections (with the Delta or Omicron variants) in vaccinated individuals may not require hospitalizations. Thank goodness, since, In the week ending Dec. 16, “an average of 80 percent of intensive care hospital beds were occupied nationwide, according to the Department of Health and Human Service.” https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-hospitals-near-you.html

We do not know the likelihood of developing long-haul COVID with this novel variant; data from the Delta variant, however, suggests vaccination cuts the risk in half. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/people-who-were-vaccinated-and-got-covid-19-were-half-as-likely-to-have-long-term-symptoms

Despite nationwide vaccination at over sixty percent, Omicron’s highly infectious capabilities will cause another winter of massive turmoil as the pandemic of the unvaccinated continues to rage. Memphis, buckle up. Shelby county vaccination is at 51%, and our I.C.U.s are at 94% capacity. How I wish it were reversed.

At hospital capacity, means heart attacks and strokes, trauma, and asthma attacks may not get treated in a timely matter. Elective surgical cases may again be postponed.

However…

Unlike last winter, you can get vaccinated. If you haven’t, please do. 

Unlike last winter, we know more. We know masks, social distancing, and washing your hands help minimize your individual and collective risks.

Unlike last year, we have medication like Monoclonal antibodies that have saved many from severe illness.

It is depressing, though. After so many fatalities to COVID-19, over 800,000 in the U.S.A. alone, we were back to life–– traveling, eating out, seeing our friends and families, attending birthday parties and weddings, going to shows. And now... what do we do with the events we planned months ago, pre-Omicron? 

We have to take a step back, yet again, for the sake of our hospitals. We should consider the risks and benefits of every planned gathering and discuss how to reduce the risk? Requiring vaccination, and boosters if indicated, of every attendee, as well as pre-and-post testing, will help minimize risks. Decreasing the number of attendees and keeping events outside will also help. 

Finally, decide if any risk is worth it. If not, consider postponement until the tidal wave of Omicron subsides.

.