Americans are so done with COVID-19. I suspect there will be another wave, though, and this one will be silent.

Why?

Because testing facilities that report cases are shutting down. Those that aren't closed aren't being used. The availability of "home tests" is tamping down demand for public testing locations.

The result is that cases are dramatically down. I doubt it's because COVID is over. It's because home testers don't report.

So there's nothing to count. For example, the case rate in Washington is 14 per 100,000. At the peak (Omicron), it was 500+ per 100k.

We saw a giant spike near the beginning of the year then...crickets.

Nothing has changed, except the virus itself. (The new variants are more communicable.) Everybody who wanted to get vaccinated has been. People aren't wearing masks. There is no social distancing.

It's just a matter of time before we see hospitals full of COVID patients again.

Or not. We'll see, I guess.

I hope I'm wrong.

Tracking Coronavirus Around the U.S.: See How Your State Is Doing

COVID-19 deaths in the US are approaching 1,000,000

More than 80 million people in the U.S. have had confirmed coronavirus infections and more than 985,000 have died of COVID-19. In the graphics below, explore the trends in your state.

NPR

Editor: There is a lot to talk about with respect to COVID-19. Where to start?

Whelp, removing mask mandates everywhere is not a bad idea on its surface. Infection rates seem to be down (people aren't testing at facilities as often and home testing simply isn't reported) and airplanes have some of the best air filtration and exchange.

However, there are some new variants that could prove to be…worrisome. This isn't over yet. I have two friends who are still battling aftereffects of COVID. They aren't dead, but they aren't doing well, MONTHS after “recovery.”

Is it safe to be on a plane without a mask?

Majority of Americans WANT masks

Get the rest of the morning news here.

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Make it a great day!

Bill

🍺 PS - Buy me a beer to keep the Daily Grind News open for business!