I had a request while back to do a simple spring scene. People want to believe the pandemic is over and return to life as normal. So what is this “new normal?” Deaths are trending down and we seem to have become comfortable with about 3oo deaths a day due to COVID-19.
However due to BA.2, cases are trending upwards once again. Since many test at home or do not test at all, it is impossible to fully assess this new approaching wave. America is fast approaching one million dead since the start of the pandemic. Globally the number of dead may be triple the numbers officially reported.
A bipartisan group of scientists and health and policy experts calling themselves the COVID roadmap group are releasing a blueprint Monday of how we could move into what they call “the next normal.” The world won’t return to a pre-COVID normal. Could the future see better testing and treatment for this airborne virus?
COVID is here to stay. The opportunity to contain the virus has long since been fumbled. We need to figure out how to live much more safely way with it. We need to do much better with testing. For example, one of the things we want to really achieve is what is called test and treat. So if you find you have symptoms of COVID, you should be able to get tested within hours. Then on the spot, you receive one of the prescriptions for very effective drugs. The problem is that the whole U.S health system is broken and getting instant treatment is only available for the rich and well insured. The costs involved will keep the uninsured form seeking treatment and the virus will continue to spread.
If COVID becomes endemic, and everyone lets their guard down, then there’s a risk that many more Americans will experience long COVID creating huge and lasting health impacts. This is the yet unrecognized terrible tale of COVID. As an artist I can not afford to live life with blinders. When I look I see.