By Xavier Kataquapit
I can’t believe I am writing a column to warn everyone once again that COVID-19 is around us all and that many of us are getting sick. It seems like this virus does not want to leave us and that is causing a lot of people pain and tragedy.
Part of the problem is that governments have decided that life should return to normal so schools are open and it is business as usual with no wearing of masks and very little concern about dealing with the COVID variants. There are vaccines available that deal with the BA4 and 5 variants that have come up over in the past months, but just recently it has been announced that there is another new variant threatening us.
For the most part, the people that get sick with this virus at this point are the elderly and those with health issues. Vaccines do protect these people to a point, but still they can get very sick, end up in the hospital or even die. So, younger people tend to survive this COVID virus much better than the elderly.
It remains that as a civilized society that we have a responsibility to care for each other and that means more so for the elderly, fragile and those with health issues. We need to remember to take care of the most vulnerable in our society but to a great degree that is not happening.
Right now these COVID variants are running wild and a lot of people are getting sick. Many are explaining away being sick as having a cold or flu or even allergies, but don’t be fooled. There is a very high degree of chance that those people have COVID. We are in a pandemic and the new variants are extremely contagious and infecting so many people so be aware that people with colds most likely actually have COVID. If you are elderly, have health issues and if you have not had up to date vaccines then be aware of your surroundings. Stay away from anyone with symptoms of COVID or any kind of flu or cold. Try to limit any visiting indoors with people and wear a mask when you are out and about.
Get the latest fifth shot of the vaccine that deals in a better way with the BA4 and 5 variants, get the annual flu shot and be alert and aware of your surroundings.
Now that we are experiencing colder days much of our gathering is indoors and that will be creating a big problem in terms of COVID spreading through our population. It is disheartening to have to keep fighting this pandemic and rampaging virus and we all want things to get back to normal, however, the reality is that COVID is still here with us and a big threat to the most vulnerable people in our society. So, if you have any symptoms of COVID and even if they are mild, please do your best to stay away from seniors and those who have health issues so they have the opportunity to stay healthy and stay alive to enjoy more years with their loved ones, family and friends. It is the civilized thing to do.
I have lost family and friends to COVID-19 and I have experienced it first-hand, so that makes me very conscious of the danger that still lives with us. The world seems a little dark right now with the war in the Ukraine and a looming recession, but I believe we will somehow do the right thing as human beings and figure things out on a global scale without causing more havoc and threats to world populations. This is not a time for doom and gloom, but we have to be realistic and realize that our path of intolerance, uncaring, right wing and mean-spirited thinking can only make things much worse. It is time for kindness, understanding, openness and taking care of each other.
We have more power than we know as long as we are aware of what is happening around us, on the planet and we step up to keep our democracy alive and well. While we are at it, we need to remember to think about our seniors and the most vulnerable in our society while this COVID virus continues to spread. There are things we can do to make sure people get through this current wave of COVID. We simply need to care more about one another.