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My Take

Here we go again

Mark McGee
Posted 7/16/22

Here we go again.  

Just when it looked like the COVID-19 pandemic was behind us, a new variant, B.A. 4/5, has made its appearance.  

If you had B.A. 1 experts are saying there is …

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My Take

Here we go again

Posted

Here we go again.  

Just when it looked like the COVID-19 pandemic was behind us, a new variant, B.A. 4/5, has made its appearance.  

If you had B.A. 1 experts are saying there is a very good chance you can also be infected with this new variant. It is supposed to be more readily transmitted than its predecessors.  

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who tested positive for COVID-19 in June, is back, urging the wearing of masks in crowded situations inside and to make sure you have all of your boosters. He reiterated this is especially true if you are over 50.  

To vaccinate or to not vaccinate is a personal decision. I have two boosters and I still tested positive for COVID-19, ironically the day after I was told I was negative.  

I had symptoms best described as a turbocharged version of the flu. I was prescribed the Paxlovid which gave me relief after two days, but I had to remain in isolation in my house for several days. I am convinced, however, if I had not been vaccinated my bout with the virus would have been much worse.  

No one is talking about shutdowns at this point. Fauci said there is no need “to let it disrupt our lives, but we cannot deny the reality that we need to deal with it.”  

Let us all hope our lives aren’t disrupted again, but in reality, pandemic is still having a negative influence on our lives more than two years after the pandemic began.  

Many still fear going out in public. Some have become accustomed to staying at home and not going anywhere. Go to a public event in the past few months and you can readily see the hesitancy that lingers as the numbers attending have dwindled based on past attendance figures.  

School children have had their lives and educations adversely affected. For more than 10 weeks last fall I had to teach college speech classes with everyone wearing a mask. Not the ideal situation.  

I was infected with the virus after attending two Nashville Predators hockey games and an outdoor Garth Brooks concert over the period of three days. But despite that happening I refuse to let the pandemic rule my life.  

Multiple health issues forced me to set aside many plans and a couple of trips though the first six months of 2022. I have bounced back thanks to multitudes of prayers and the good Lord listening to them.  

I have never been one who prefers to sit at home and watch TV reruns, but I am even more determined now to get out and enjoy my life.  

There are tools to fight COVID-19 and I will take the risks. Some of you may opt to be safe, stay inside, have your groceries and restaurant food delivered and wear out Amazon on the internet.  

Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. But I pray we will not be shutting down this country in fear again.