This week XBB.1.5 makes up 85% of cases in the United States, but hospitalizations and deaths are decreasing despite this variant being so contagious. Reported cases are high in Arizona, but wastewater shows that there are also increased amounts of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nebraska, the Carolinas and Alabama this week. Regarding wastewater, taking an extra 3 minutes to test airplane toilet wastewater from more than 80 international flights into JFK airport in August and September 2022 showed that 81% of these samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and all were Omicron subvariants. Authors reported that “
Those of us who are mildly or moderately immuno-compromised have been told to continue wearing masks (in my case, even outdoors if I am within 6' of someone from not in my household). Is there a target for when we might be able to ditch the masks if fully vaccinated or boosted?
As a made up example, I think that most years about 40,000 people die from the flu in the U.S.. We get a flu shot and don't worry about it. In 2022 I think about 5-6 times that many people died from Covid. At what point do we say "it's no more harmful than influenza" and put the masks aside unless there's a surge of cases or hospitalizations and deaths?
Does the medical community have a target for this?
Hi Dr. Ruth,
Those of us who are mildly or moderately immuno-compromised have been told to continue wearing masks (in my case, even outdoors if I am within 6' of someone from not in my household). Is there a target for when we might be able to ditch the masks if fully vaccinated or boosted?
As a made up example, I think that most years about 40,000 people die from the flu in the U.S.. We get a flu shot and don't worry about it. In 2022 I think about 5-6 times that many people died from Covid. At what point do we say "it's no more harmful than influenza" and put the masks aside unless there's a surge of cases or hospitalizations and deaths?
Does the medical community have a target for this?
Thanks very much,
Mary