It had to be coming, much as I did not want it to. Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for covid and is experiencing "mild cold-like symptoms." According to the Palace's statement, she expects to continue carrying out light duties. She turns 96 in April and, even fully vaccinated and boosted, is on the very vulnerable end of the spectrum. I'm not sure what has me looking at the news more often--"Is the Queen still alive?" or "Has Russia invaded Ukraine?"
The British prime minister is on the verge of announcing the end of legally having to self-isolate after a positive covid test. He wants to repeal any pandemic regulations that restrict public freedoms. It's a "living with covid" plan under which local authorities will be required to manage outbreaks with pre-existing health powers only.
POTUS has extended the national emergency that was first declared in March 2020. It was due to expire on March 1. As more states roll back more restrictions, I found a framework proposed by a population health professor useful. There are "always measures" such as better ventilation, full vaccination, and staying at home when sick. There are "sometimes measures" to put in when case numbers hit a defined point. These would be things such as mask mandates or proof of vaccination to enter an establishment or event. Finally, there are "rarely measures" such as closing a business or taking schools virtual.
The US continues to struggle on the vaccination front. We rank as the 67th country in terms of population being "fully vaccinated" and 54th in terms of population having gotten boosters. Deaths over the past two weeks have increased in 14 states. Deaths nationwide are holding somewhat steady at around 2,300 daily. Omicron beats Delta in terms of case numbers and deaths. Given the availability of home tests now as opposed to early fall, Omicron somewhat crushes Delta.
Finally, the Surgeon General and his family have covid with mild symptoms including muscle aches, chills, sore throat, and low-grade fever. As with the Queen, being fully vaccinated and boosted does not mean a person won't catch covid. It does, however, up the odds that any symptoms will be milder.
1 comment:
Charles was first with it, then Camilla and the news reports said that he'd been to see his mum so it's not entirely unexpected. She's got to keep on queening until June, platinum jubilees don't come around that often. I remember only one thing about the silver jubilee, the council had a new refuse collection lorry and they'd had it painted in purple and grey rather than the usual green.
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