In Denmark 17 million mink were killed at 200 farms when COVID spread like wildfire through the facilities. The animals were buried in huge open pits and the bodies later surfaced after rains and settling. Humans spread the virus to the animals who are kept if small cages on on top of the other in long rows. The airborne COVID virus then spread easily from one mink to the other right down each row. All the mink were then killed because there was a concern that they would pass the virus back to humans. In America 10,000 mink died from COVID. It is unknown if the virus was transferred back to humans. Congress cut funding for sequence testing so we are in the dark ages moving forward. Most Americans are thankful for this ignorant bliss as they pretend all is well, with about 500 deaths a day. I know America is a disposable society, but how to you dispose of so many bodies without people noticing?
The Omicron variant which is still circulating today likely came from an animal host like rats and then transferred back to humans after it had mutated multiple times in the animal hosts. Omicron took everyone by surprise. It literally seemed to come out of nowhere. The virus has infected American Red Tailed deer but they are not being exterminated on mass, though hunters do thin the heard every year. A new variant could come from anywhere. Luckily the XBB.1.5 variant has not produced a large surge in cases. That might mean that vaccinations and past infections are keeping the numbers from rising. The pandemic however is not over. There could be unexpected curve balls around the corner.
So, is COVID over? Despite over 2000 Americans dying from COVID every week, Joe Biden is ending the COVID public health emergency on May 11, 2023. At that time all testing and treatments will be out of pocket for those who are infected. On Jan 30, 2023 WHO declared COVID a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, despite the American president’s position. So who do you trust, a president looking to get re-elected, or scientists who track the virus every single day?
2023 is ushering a new there is a new, dangerous phase that requires urgent attention, called the “we’ve moved on” phase.