Commentary: Don’t pretend we’re ‘back to normal.’ Fight for cleaner air to prevent COVID
Right now, we are at a manageable point in the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of new U.S. cases has significantly slowed since the first omicron surge. Although omicron’s BA.2 variants have increased cases, particularly in the Northeast, hospitalizations and deaths have declined or leveled off. Vaccination and prior infection by the earlier omicron surge seem to be protecting most Americans against severe illness.
As a result, some public health pundits are urging Americans to go back to “normal.” But in fact, we should focus broadly on prevention against future variants and airborne illness. Not battling hospital surges right now gives
