It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 1 full year since rising COVID-19 infections inspired the policy of “3 weeks to flatten the curve”. In that period of time, we have been living our lives subject to the whims of our public servants. They have wielded, what many would consider unconstitutional power. They have imposed draconian, and often capricious rules and regulations, ostensibly to protect us from an increasingly manageable viral infection.

One year ago, I remember feeling a fair amount of anxiety. We assumed that no one was immune to this novel virus. We did understand that mortality increased with increasing age. I remember the nervous joking in the room as I taught a course for my non-pulmonary colleagues on how to run ventilators. This was set up out of concern that I and my fellow pulmonologists, all of us in our 60s, might fall ill, or worse, and be unavailable.

Yikes.

Caution was certainly warranted at that stage. We were hearing reports out of Italy of legions of sick people and overwhelmed hospital facilities. New York City was starting to have problems. Here in Pennsylvania, we had our first reported case. This was the point where Governor Wolfe shut down schools, and most businesses, other than those deemed “essential”.

 Nonessential businesses, including haircare salons, bars, restaurants car dealers, and other retailers were either fully or partially shuttered. Because of unemployment benefits that were offered, many people out of fear of the virus chose not to work. This affected many of the businesses allowed to open. It was a circumstance unprecedented in our lifetime. I think most people accepted the restrictions as necessary. Many of us, however, assumed that the disease and the lockdown would disappear by late spring.

As I have written before, we are in an entirely different place in March 2021. First off we know much more about this virus. We know that something like 40% of the population (based on blood bank studies from blood drawn before the pandemic) have pre-existing T-cell immunity. This is probably due to previous exposures to other Coronaviruses.

We have much better therapeutics including two inexpensive generic regimens that appear to have activity against the virus (ivermectin, and HCQ/azithromycin. Mortality rates are falling, and hospitals are non-stressed. Importantly, caregivers and most of the elderly population have been immunized.

I think my biggest fear now, is that even though it is only been a year, I see signs that people remain devoted to the illogical dogma that has been cultivated by media hype and governmental overreaction. If they cling to this. we may struggle to return to an open, welcoming society.

I’m concerned about the psychology of this. People tell me that their memories of our pre-Covid lifestyle are fading into the mists, as we grow ever more habituated to the lockdown life. We have been steeped in the belief that both family, friends and strangers, are potential vectors for Covid and must be kept at a distance. Greeting kisses and embraces for many are unthinkable. When people do gather, there is a wariness in personal interactions that I do not remember prior years. I see this, even in those who have recovered or have been immunized.

We need to get over this mentality. If you have recovered from the illness, or have been vaccinated, you are at best immune from further infection, and at worst, unlikely to become very sick if reinfected. You certainly do not need a mask. The fact that public health organizations will not admit this, suggests to me an inappropriate zeal for control.

I for one, welcome the relaxation of regulations scheduled for April 4 here in Pennsylvania. I am watching the data from states such as Texas where restrictions are almost completely eliminated. So far, after nine days there has been little change in their infection/mortality rates which continue to decline.

It should be clear I think to all of us, that going forward, that lockdowns are not a long-term strategy for dealing with this pandemic. If cases increase again sometime over the summer or in the fall, we need to recognize the virus may be endemic. We need to react to the disease burden, and not just positive PCR tests. Remember, people have been contracting coronaviruses for millennia, and a few become critically ill. A small number die. This is nothing new.

We should focus now on immunization and therapeutics, rather than curtailing our lives and liberty.

As always, I would be honored if you would share this post.

Header Image: Dying Spruces at Brady’s Lake ( Fujifilm XE3, XF 18-55mm f2.8-4).