So Dr. Anthony Fauci now concedes that pretty much everyone is going to get the Omicron version of COVID. I remember telling my Dad sometime in 2020 that “looks to me like everyone will get this before it’s through”. Sorry I was right.

So if that’s the case, is it finally time to get rid of the masks and the conflict / irritation they’ve produced? Unfortunately, no.

• We have to do everything possible to slow the spread of Omicron and give hospitals and health care workers a chance to catch up. That’s our immediate problem – too much pressure on the whole health care system.
• We still have two susceptible populations to worry about. Kids under 5, who haven’t been authorized for a vaccine dose. (Let’s make this a priority, please). And folks in assisted living homes – I can’t see us just giving up and saying “tough shit, you’re going to get the virus”, when we know their death rate from any illness is much, much higher than other segments of the population.

If we can get some kind of vaccine approved for the little ones, then maybe we could keep mask protocols in place for anyone in contact with nursing homes and assisted living facilities. And remove mask requirements for the general population. That would go a long way toward restoring normality.

And, if we can give the health care system some time to recover and retrench, we can get rid of the vaccine mandates. By now everyone in the US who is willing has had multiple chances to get vaccinated. Given universal spread, the only person they’re hurting by not being vaccinated is themselves.

So I think this is how 2022 could (should) shape up. One, we get the health care system back on its feet. Two, we find a way to protect children under 5 with a vaccine or therapy. Then we get rid of mask and vaccination mandates, with an exception for elder care facilities.

I don’t know why, but this whole situation made me think of the classic Country Joe and the Fish song “I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag”. An edited verse from that Vietnam-era song:

“and it’s 1, 2, 3, what’re we fighting for?
don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn
next stop is vietnam Omicron
and it’s 5, 6, 7, open up the pearly gates
well there ain’t no time to wonder why
whoopee! we’re all gonna die”

Dark humor, which at times is the best.