Editorial | Claiming that the pandemic is over is both premature and risky
- Making such a claim without scientific backing risks increasing resistance to further needed funding, the possible withdrawal of free testing and an end to the critical reporting of Covid cases
Americans are entitled to feel they could have been better led into the pandemic in 2020 by former president Donald Trump, who has admitted having tried to play down the danger as no worse than seasonal flu.
Now many may feel confused by his successor Joe Biden, who has declared the pandemic over. That is a premature call. The world may yearn for it to be over. It is ready to jump on any positive sign.
For example, when World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently said “the end is in sight”, many reports omitted key words: “ … we are not there yet … Now is the time to run harder [and] reap the rewards of all our hard work.” It was in fact a call to arms for a decisive battle.
Sadly, there remains much suffering and tragedy before it is finally won. Biden said “the pandemic is over” in an impromptu remark on current affairs television, saying that while the virus remained a problem, circumstances were changing. He did not spell out remaining problems such as long Covid or what needed to be done.
His remark came as the new Omicron subvariant strain BA.2.75.2 shows a worrying ability to evade immunity and is becoming increasingly dominant in Europe.