The world is resigned to the fact that Covid19 is here to stay and it is virtually impossible to eradicate the virus completely from the face of the earth. We simply have to live with it like what we have done for the flu virus, hoping that it will slowly die out first before a newer and deadlier variant is formed.
The move from a pandemic to an endemic took us more than 18 months to discover that a zero Covid strategy is unworkable. Even as vaccines are discovered, the uneven rollout throughout the world means that a vaccine herd immunity outcome is difficult to achieve globally. New Zealand just realized this and have changed its strategy this week. Only China (with Hong Kong and Macau) is the remaining major country remaining to pursue this zero covid goal.
What we now know about vaccines: It lowers the probability of contracting the virus and if you do get it, it lowers the probability of hospitalization or eventual death. Like most vaccines, the shield to prevent you from getting the virus seems to fade after a few months. Hence the rush is now on to take the 3rd booster shot.
Those that are against taking the vaccines are fearful of the long term consequences of taking this new mRNA shot. Some are mindful of possible effects on their young children. As the unvaccinated becomes a minority soon, the vaccinated majority have started applying pressure on this smaller group to get the shots.
Governments and private companies are now implementing vaccine mandates on their workers. If it does not happen by the declared deadline, the worker will likely lose his job. Given Hobson’s choice, the mandates have pushed many to cross the line to get it. The last remaining anti-vaxxers have run out of excuses not to take it, as overwhelming evidence suggest that the risk is much higher if you do not take the vaccine.
On a Clubhouse chat I heard, a woman was saying that she is standing up for the younger children by taking a stand against vaccines. I call that BS. Even though you think you have the right to choose, all bets are off in a pandemic. Keeping the community safe is more important than individual liberties. One’s selfish behaviour affects everyone and the ultimate price to pay is with your life besides risking the lives of others by giving out false information.
This is a gamble not worth taking as the odds are stacked against you. If you cannot even survive beyond the next year, what is the point of talking about the long term effects? Plus you have a 1 in 4 chance of developing long covid without the vaccine. If you are going to a war tomorrow and are given a shield that gives you a 90+% probability of survival, would you not take it?
From data gathered so far, vaccine mandates are working. They encourage more people to take it as they value job security over personal choice and rights. It is the only practical path when the pandemic is causing massive job losses around the world. You can go protest as much as you want over weekends, but you still need to put food on the table.
In S’pore, we have been experiencing surges in positive cases, currently to more than 3k per day now. Deaths have been increasing for mainly those above 50 years old. There are still some due to breakthrough cases of vaccinated patients but almost all have underlying comorbidities. The same cannot be said for the unvaccinated deaths. They could have been saved if they took their vaccines.
There is still a group of over 60 years old of about 80k that remains unvaccinated. This may be because of misplaced fears, thinking that it’s not necessary as they are already old or that they are living alone and not aware of it. I think it is time for the authorities to try to save as many of them as possible by having a vaccine mandate for those above 60. Forcing these 80k to take it to save more lives and minimize preventable deaths is a noble cause, no?
For the breakthrough cases of the vaccinated, we are starting to see newer drugs being introduced to fight the virus, like the one from Merck that is orally taken which was announced this week. While doctors try their best to save them, the immediate action plan for the vaccinated is to take the 3rd booster shot. It is a preventive measure to shore up individual immunity for the high risk and vulnerable group.
In an endemic, positive cases will be a way of life and we should not focus so much on it anymore. It just creates fear and apprehension within the population. We should concentrate on preventing more deaths by whatever means available to us and it is backed by science. That should be the main endemic goal and strategy going forward. The game plan has to change accordingly to embrace the virus and fight it logically and practically.
While the conservative group still prefers lockdowns whenever there is a surge, this approach cannot continue as it cripples the economy and it is not a long term solution. We have to bravely craft our new endemic strategy, look to the rest of the world for directions and best practices to try to return to the new normal. The 2nd anniversary of covid is fast approaching upon us…
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