Some Experts Hopeful That Omicron Surge Will Lead to End of COVID-19 Pandemic
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Is the two-year COVID-19 public health emergency close to finally being lifted?
Health experts don't agree on exactly when it'll happen, but many are confident that COVID-19 is approaching a more manageable endemic status. Voices from universities such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Tufts are optimistic that since the now-dominant Omicron variant is often less severe than other versions of COVID-19, the virus will soon become a more controlled seasonal illness such as the flu. Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said this week that eradicating COVID-19 "will not happen," but showed hope that the virus will reach "such a low level that it doesn't disrupt our normal social, economic and other interactions." In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Wednesday an end to vaccine and mask mandates, work-from-home guidance and other pandemic restrictions. Some are less optimistic; the World Health Organization's director said this week that the "pandemic is nowhere near over."
Coverage from right-rated sources is generally more optimistic about COVID-19 becoming more manageable soon. These reports tend to focus on how because Omicron is highly contagious, still infects vaccinated people and seems less severe than other COVID-19 strains, many people will end up catching it regardless of safety precautions. Coverage from left-rated sources often focuses on overcrowded hospitals and intensive care units, and highlights experts who warn that a new, more deadly variant could still arise and disrupt the return to normalcy.
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