Get Vaccinated, Not Mandated

In public generally I have noted misconceptions about the Covid epidemic and efforts to deal with it.  As someone with 40 years of practice as a physician, now retired and actually reviewing the scientific articles published about these issues I feel some clarifications are needed.  Especially, as David Hume wrote, “It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once.” 

Covid 19 is no longer an epidemic; it is an endemic respiratory viral illness with seasonal variations more serious than influenza in the elderly/immunocompromised and much less so in small children.  Thus our officials may never release us fully from restrictions.  Our goal is not to defeat it or extinguish it as some officials have stated; preventing overwhelming consumption of our health facilities is a legitimate public health goal.  That means reducing serious illness and death.  Those over 60, or with immunocompromised systems or other chronic conditions such as obesity, chronic lung disease, heart disease, …