Can’t we wait a little longer?

We can now move a bit more freely due to our low COVID-19 positivity rate. We’re back to pre-pandemic sights everywhere I look, except for the face masks.

But behold the tragedy of countries that became reckless, careless, and mindless once their COVID-19 infections began falling. Look at the massive crowds that flocked to their sports events, joined street rallies and election campaigns, wallowed in beaches, parks, and tourist spots, etc. Look at how wildly they savored parties, community festivities, markets, malls, theaters, and religious festivities, all amid the lingering threat of the coronavirus.

As Reuters reported recently: “Americans face an uncertain and anxiety-filled holiday season for the second consecutive year, as the highly contagious Omicron variant threatens to intensify an already alarming surge of COVID-19 cases. Several Broadway shows have been forced to close, big employers are sending people home, professional sports teams are scrambling to contain outbreaks, and holidays parties are getting canceled again.”

US President Joe Biden has also warned: “We are looking at a winter of severe illness and death.” And according to the World Health Organization, “Omicron is spreading rapidly even in countries with high vaccination rates…”

Are we waiting for yet another surge before we change gears and do things right?

While our officials prioritized the economy by loosening things up for the Christmas season, they seemingly let go of our safety. But they are unwittingly prolonging the agony and thus blocking the nation’s economic recovery. The vaccines, lockdowns, face masks, social distancing, and sanitation measures are of little use without basic sanity. Why jeopardize complete healing and full restoration on account of just a single busy season? Why waste our pains and gains in this pandemic? Can’t we wait a little longer?

Reni M. Valenzuela, [email protected]