Get ready to learn more Greek letters. Scientists warn that omicron’s whirlwind advance practically ensures it won’t be the last version of the coronavirus to worry the world. Every infection provides a chance for the virus to mutate, and omicron has an edge over its predecessors: It spreads way faster despite emerging on a planet with a stronger patchwork of immunity from vaccines and prior illness.
Source: Expect more worrisome variants after omicron, scientists say | AP News
i wrote this while reading the article:
i think we might be at an inflection point were we have the chance to put cioovid-19 done to having it be endemic, so perhaps a part of yearly flu shot? if we just keep up the easy things like social distancing, masking, washing hands, stay out of crowds for a few months more. but I doubt we can do it. worst case: boom, a new variant that is different enough that the vaxx is ineffective (which omicron might be, at least for non-boosted, and perhaps even then) and causes delta-level hospitalizations and deaths/ all spreading mildly thru the summer, then hitting like delta did in sept/nov 2022, just like the flu always does, ffs.
also, this rant on how to get 95% vaxed: pay the fully vaxxed + boosted now, $1k per adult. + 250 per kid likewise fully vaxxed.
then same amount to those who get to the boosted stage. yah, they should do it for better reasons than money. but let’s not care about that. we need almost everyone vaxxed.
the spiteful will suggest the currently unvaxxed should get less as a penalty. that’s petty. let’s get them on our side, or at least vaxxed.
we have the records. we have everyone’s address. the post office can deliver the cheques. or do it as a tax credit/write off/deduction (ask P which is besdt.)
so might cost $50B (probably need to do some wags here…). but what is cost already? what is expected cost, good scenario or middle or worst case?
