As the Omicron Variant Spreads Will Our Lives Be Disrupted Again?
The news stories I've been seeing over the past few days about Covid-19 spreading are starting to concern me. I'm starting to pick up a vibe that's similar to the one before everything shut down at the beginning of the pandemic.
The NFL is moving football games. The NHL just announced they're shutting some teams down for a week. Headliners canceled their performances at a radio station's Christmas concert in Atlanta after members of their production teams tested positive for the virus.
It's just starting to seem like Covid is once again starting to become a bigger concern. Events and situations like this begin to set a narrative that can just snowball, and before you know it, life's looking a little bit different.
No, I don't think the country or parts of it will shut down again. I don't think anyone, regardless of their politics or their personal opinions on vaccines, masks, and the like is going to go through another shutdown. We had one shot to shut it down and get in front of this disease, and frankly, we blew that. And it won't be any better if we try it again. Not that there was much of a shut down in West Central Missouri anyway.
Yet, I could see Covid-19 disrupting things. Maybe not full shutdowns. But more postponements. More last-minute cancellations or rescheduled shows. Disrupted sports seasons at all levels. Mandatory testing to participate in certain events or activities.
And of course, some individuals making the decision that eating out in a restaurant, being in a crowd, traveling, or staying at hotels just isn't a smart idea. Some folks, like my Mom, even with the vaccinations, still aren't comfortable resuming a "normal" life. And recent developments certainly won't change that any time soon.
That said, vaccines are available for all. And while it's not a miracle drug, vaccines have been shown to reduce the symptoms of the disease. And frankly, for all the talk of super spreader events, I haven't seen any large concerts, large sporting events, state fairs, museum trips, where many in attendance got sick from Covid-19.
Hopefully, we can muddle through this winter and the Omicron variant of the disease without too much disruption. Cause I'm just tired. Tired of talking about it, writing about it, hearing about it. And tired of life being disrupted by it.