R. Wm. "Ruedii": It's at the stage of a broad epidemic. However, every single wave edges on pandemic again. If we don't neutralize it through universal vaccination and responsive mask mandates and lockdowns, in areas of high hospitalization rates, we will never be done with it.

People who were repeatedly vaccinated for COVID-19 — initially receiving shots aimed at the original variant, followed by boosters and updated vaccines targeting variants — generated antibodies capable of neutralizing a wide range of SARS-CoV-2 variants and even some distantly related coronaviruses.

Repeat COVID-19 vaccinations elicit antibodies that neutralize variants, other viruses | Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louismedicine.wustl.edu Response to updated vaccine is shaped by earlier vaccines yet generates broadly neutralizing antibodies

Why does this paper begin, "The covid pandemic is over..."? That is untrue.

It *must* be a typo, right?

Yeah. Absolutely. I mean, no scientist would ever write that, right?

Seems like a pretty solid source.

Since the sentence that claims that then immediately follows it up by saying that people are still being hospitalized by it, I think they mean that medically speaking the pandemic *is* over, because the disease is now endemic. Though they could be clearer on that.

Exactly this. It's endemic.

It's at the stage of a broad epidemic. However, every single wave edges on pandemic again. If we don't neutralize it through universal vaccination and responsive mask mandates and lockdowns, in areas of high hospitalization rates, we will never be done with it.

It's another flu. That's where it's at right now.

Yes, the flu kills thousands of people a year, and high vaccination rates drastically reduce the flu in an area too. The same goes for handwashing everywhere, as well as wearing masks in areas of high spread.

However, COVID is more dangerous than your typical flu as it can sometimes leave residual damage to your body which can take years to recover from if you ever do.

Additionally, you can sometimes get a long-term infection which will continue to present symptoms and be near impossible for your body to get rid of.

That's literally true of both the flu and even the common cold.

Yes, but it is much more rare in cold and flu. Also, cold and flu don't include permanent heart damage as a potential long term effect.

Some of it does! And the incidents of "long COVID" are reducing to around the rates of "long Flu" and "long Cold".

As with the flu, covid19 can move between animals now. I don't see it going away... ever. Maybe we can stop humans infecting each other so often.

Post