MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s been quite a while since COVID-19 has been mentioned in my commentaries. That’s because for the most part, we in Memphis and Shelby County have handled the virus reasonably well since the early part of the year.
And the numbers bear that out. Just in the last month, reported COVID cases per day have gone down noticeably while vaccinations per day have gone up.
But make no mistake. This virus has not gone away. People are still getting infected – even those who have gotten the vaccine. The saving grace is that few if any of those folks are dying because the vaccines are so effective.
And yet, as the cooler weather starts to set in, now is not the time to completely let down our guard. We may have transitioned from pandemic to endemic, meaning the virus is more contained and easier to managed. But precautions still must be taken, particularly among people with compromised immune systems or chronic illnesses.
As infectious disease expert Dr. Stephen Threlkeld told Memphis Rotary Club members earlier this week, vaccinated individuals who have also gotten one booster shot, should get the second booster ASAP. And we should get a flu shot starting now.
It’s no doubt that all of us know someone who has died from this destructive and dreaded virus. But while the worse may be behind us, let’s remember COVID is still here.