Apparently Endemic has a new definition. I.e. 'It's over.' I'm tired.

Covid is shifting towards endemic, and that's a good thing. Such things can be controlled (like with the flu) with masks, distancing, etc, to prevent spikes. Cases/test positivity are still high in places, but nationally, infection rates and hospitalizations are falling. Not to a good baseline yet, but clearly falling.

Now, here's the thing. Endemic means it's always present. So, during waves/spikes, you enact measures to mitigate it. Wear an N95/K95 when in public spaces, etc. Nothing huge. No massive shutdowns, just occasional heightened measures being enacted. Like during a nasty flu season.

But emphasis on 'enact measures.'

https://thenationaldesk.com/news/health/california-lays-out-nations-first-endemic-covid-plan-as-more-states-loosen-restrictions-coronavirus-new-phase-gavin-newsom-ca

https://local12.com/amp/news/nation-world/utah-becomes-second-state-to-announce-endemic-covid-policy-coronavirus-pandemic-end-governor-spencer-cox-masks-vaccine-guidelines-plan

Most recent COVID update: https://imgur.com/gallery/d2SPxNk

This touched a nerve. I'm fuming at my desk.

In Utah (where I'm at), there are no measures for masks, distancing, etc. There haven't been for some time. This is the case with other States as well.

Now, Covid is NOT like other respiratory virus's. 10-30% of people who contract it and have symptoms may develop Long Covid. If vaccinated, that rate appears to be lower, but we don't know by how much.
https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/09/29/1041501387/coronavirus-long-covid-study-plos-medicine

So when the current variant is nearly as contagious as the measles, that should at least worry you a bit. Not make you shut yourself inside your home, but at least wear a mask, vaccinated or not, if around a ton of people.

Let me reiterate. If you get symptoms, especially if unvaccinated, there's a 10-30% chance you will have lingering, potentially debilitating symptoms we don't know how to cure. We don't even understand why it happens. Brain fog, lung issues, clotting- it's a laundry list of problems.

And we don't know why. Personally, I find that worrying.

As someone with a family member who medically can't get vaccinated, and another who was extremely-high risk for a time...I'm just tired of this rhetoric. This wouldn't have touched a nerve as much aside from the fact many individuals haven't ever taken this virus seriously. Now that levels are declining, it just give them another excuse for it.

So, to anyone who says 'some people' 'could stand to take this less seriously' and 'it's just another virus' and flaunt not wearing a mask, may I offer this immature, succinct, but genuine rebuttable.

I still post weekly updates on Saturdays. I'll be streamlining the updates and posting them both to here, as well as a new platform in the next few months for multiple reasons, one being...well, people have moved on from the Pandemic, on Imgur and off.

The politics/measures being lifted are another indicator of that. Originally that was planned during May, but since the world is moving on, I may speed that up. It has been an absolute pleasure of mine to help so many people prepare and stay informed, but...well, the world is moving on, unless I'm vastly misinformed.

That said, I'm not going to stop informing and helping others prepare. It's what I love to do. I just need to slim it down from previous, large update format.

To not end this post on too much of a downer note, may I offer this request this Sunday.

Be a good neighbor. The world needs more of that nowadays. Look out for each other. Call a friend, check up on a grandparent. Make the world a bit better for someone today.

From a tired and fed-up Imigurian,

-Bunker John

Post-Most-Viral edit:

The fact this post, with a more ranting/frustrated spin gets the front page while my regular unbiased/not emotional updates no longer do (for months now) is another reason I'm winding things down. Imgur, like other social media/news sites, gravitates to the emotional and the negative. I'm not surprised, just an interesting observation. I guess I'd feel better slowing down/changing the updates if it was due to COVID being over, rather than being ignored.

I've never wanted to add to said negativity, and today was the obvious exception due to this headline.

That said, I really appreciate all the supportive words. I've continued this a lot longer than I intended largely due to knowing there was a need, and helping others prepare is truly a passion of mine. Thank you so much for your kind words =) Know that I read every single comment and try to reply to them all!

Be good to each other, and stay safe. I'm not going anywhere, just frustrated and realizing I need to shift some things around.
Again,
-Bunker John.