The new-ish normal-ish now that the pandemic is over-ish
The pandemic isn't over in America. But it's over-ish? Maybe? Who really knows?
Take a couple of data points from the last few days. On Tuesday, Anthony Fauci — the nation's top infectious diseases expert — went on TV and made an astonishing declaration: "We are certainly right now in this country out of the pandemic phase." Great news!
Except, also on Tuesday, CNN reported Fauci pulled out of this weekend's White House Correspondents Association dinner because of concerns about rising COVID case counts. President Biden still plans to attend, at least for now, but Vice President Kamala Harris probably won't. She just tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Confusing, right?
Maybe it helps to know that Fauci on Wednesday clarified his comments in The Washington Post. It's not that the pandemic in America is actually over, he said, but the "full-blown pandemic phase" — that phase over the winter when hospitalizations and deaths spiked across the country because of the Omicron variant — is shifting into something less severe.
"Right now we're at a low enough level that I believe that we're transitioning into endemicity," he told the Post. "We're not in the full-blown explosive pandemic phase. That does not mean that the pandemic is over."
And here's what "transitioning" looks like: Everybody — including Fauci — is on their own, at least as far as figuring out their comfort level being in public. That's increasingly been the case since vaccines became widely available last year, of course, but events of recent weeks have cemented the notion: A judge struck down masking requirements on public transit — a decision the Biden Administration seems to be challenging only half-heartedly — and Philadelphia decided to impose and then quickly rescind a brand-new masking order.
A poll taken after the judge's decision revealed most Americans still want a mandate for buses, subways, and airplanes. But authorities are tired of fighting and losing bloody culture war battles over the issue, so we'll have to get comfortable and decide how to decide, as Fauci did with the dinner, when to just stay home.
That means older and immunocompromised Americans, especially, will have to keep a close eye on case counts as they determine whether they can do things like go to church or eat in a restaurant. Fauci is no longer leading an effort to restrict our activities when the virus surges — instead, he's (probably inadvertently) modeling what the near-future looks like for millions. Going to a big party seemed like an okay idea for him a few weeks ago. Now it doesn't.
And that's the new normal: Things being kind of okay — except when they're not.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a freelance writer who has spent nine years as a syndicated columnist, co-writing the RedBlueAmerica column as the liberal half of a point-counterpoint duo. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic, The Kansas City Star and Heatmap News. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'A wonky bureaucratic tweak has dramatically changed how Americans drive'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
It's not really about Biden's brain — unless it is
Talking Points Depending on who you ask, the renewed focus on the president's mental acuity is an election-year distraction, a legitimate point of concern, and sometimes both
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The politics of music: should political rallies use well-known songs?
Talking Point The Smiths star Johnny Marr is latest musician to object to use of his music at a Donald Trump rally
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
'Christie performed a needed service for American democracy'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published