FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Jun 21

Cities Will Definitely Not Be the Same After the Pandemic Is Over

by bcurry

A recent New York Times headline read: “New York Faces Lasting Economic Toll Even as Pandemic Passes.”  This should come as no big surprise given the nature of New York city’s industrial make-up, a good deal of which depends on foreign and domestic tourism.  Indeed, the article notes that the city had an 11.8 percent decline in jobs from February 2020 to April 2021, almost three times the loss on the national level.  Boarded-up storefronts and for-lease signs dot many of its neighborhoods.  Many of the businesses that depend on office and other workers who work in the core have yet to experience any substantive turnaround, especially in the retail, hospitality and performing arts sectors.  Of concern to the services sector is that several large corporations like Google and Facebook, as major commercial tenants, will not require the same amount of office space with a good percent of their staff continuing to work remotely full time or two or three days a week.  With fewer people commuting daily to downtown businesses, there will also be a substantive need to examine current public transportation policies.

While the example of New York is certainly considered to be an extreme situation, there is little doubt that all urban centers in North America will have to adjust economically and socially in the near future.  The impact of the pandemic will leave a substantial mark on every aspect of urban life for sometime to come.  The most evident immediate impact can be seen in the housing market.  Working remotely from home is only one of several factors influencing the rising costs of housing, especially single detached homes.  The average sale price for a home in Canada for example has surged 38 percent to $688,208 over the past year amid a pandemic-driven housing boom, according to data from the Canadian Real Estate Association.  Technology has allowed more people to work from ‘rurban’ communities than ever before, eliminating much of the need to commute to and from urban workplaces.  Employers are having to adjust their working arrangements to accommodate employees, who in many cases have essential skills in short supply.

Even Ottawa, where I live, is experiencing many of the economic and social consequences of the pandemic, despite being primarily a government town and having less of an economic impact that most cities.  However, as in the case of New York, Ottawa has seen dozens of small businesses, which before the pandemic employed about much of the city’s work force, haven’t survived.  Tourism, a major part of the National Capital Region, is way down, affecting hotels, tour operations, restaurants and bars.  The closure of the American border over the past year to non-essential traffic and major restrictions on international air travel has had a major impact on tourism.  Sports and entertainment venues, including Ottawa’s large festival industry, have been non-existent since the beginning of the pandemic.  Like many urban communities, the city is counting on the vaccination of seventy or more percent of its population to eventually encourage locals to return to recreational and indoor activities across the region.  However, much like projections for New York, most observers predict that it’s going to be a long, slow recovery.  Indeed, one can further predict that the eventual outcome will be quite different from pre-pandemic conditions in North American cities.

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Jun 16

Confirmed COVID Cases in U.S. and Canada Mean that the Pandemic is NOT OVER

by bcurry

The headlines today read: “U.S. Nears 600,000 Virus Deaths Despite Progress From Vaccines.”  As several states, including California and New York state, are in the process of reopening, experts are warning the Americans still have a ways to go to get COVID-19 fully under control.  Data shows that about 362 people across the U.S. are still dying from the coronavirus each day.  What’s worrisome is that about half of coronavirus deaths at the end of May were made up of people ages 50 to 74, compared with a third of the total deaths in December.  Many of those hospitalized are younger than in the past, some of whom had not been vaccinated.  Vaccine hesitancy is still a lingering problem.  Nevertheless, about 44 percent of the U.S. population — about 145 million people — is fully vaccinated.  Fortunately, widely available vaccines have played the central role in slowing the death rate.  However, vaccines without continuing precautions such as masking and physical distancing may not be sufficient enough to finally control coronavirus outbreaks.  Only time will tell.  I’m not hopeful.

As of June 15, 2021, the U.S. had had a total of over 33 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, a relatively high number when compared to global numbers.  As of June 16, 2021, there have been 176,156,662 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world, including 3,815,486 deaths, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).  On June 15th, there were about 11,180 confirmed daily cases in U.S.   Compare that to 7,600 cases in U.K., 1390 in Italy, 407 in France, 650 in Germany, 1175 in Mexico and 806 cases in Canada.

Everyone recognizes that so-called COVID fatigue is a real thing and that certain sectors of the economy have suffered more during the pandemic, especially in light of necessary lockdown measures.  One can feel the tension in the air and people’s desire to return to some form of normalcy.  Yet new more deadly variants continue to emerge, including the so-called Delta variant which is now being transmitted in North America.  One has to remember that the sole objective of a virus is to replicate.  The more unvaccinated and vulnerable persons available to infect, the virus will continue to mutate.  Most experts believe the sooner that we get more people, including children, fully vaccinated, the better are our chances to limit the further spread of variants.  This is a simple scientific fact that people have to come to recognize.  Forget nonsensical conspiracy theories and abundant misinformation about being vaccinated. 

The fact of the matter is that there is now little chance that Americans and Canadians will ever achieve so-called “herd immunity”.  Simply put, any herd-immunity threshold is looking unlikely because of factors such as vaccine hesitancy, the challenge of the unevenness of vaccine roll-outs, the emergence of new variants and the delayed arrival of vaccinations for children.  COVID will be with us in one form or another for some time, just like seasonal flue strains.  It may very well be that in order to have immunity, many of us, especially the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, will have no choice but to have COVID-type vaccines in the future.  Remember that we are fortunately living in North America with all our health care and pharmaceutical capabilities, unlike what one finds in Third World countries.  Failing to deal quickly with this health issue in the global context will have grave consequences for all of us.  After all, no one wants to be just another statistic!

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Jun 8

Why the Shortage of Labour Will Be a Likely Issue in the Short-term for Certain Sectors

by bcurry

I was surprised somewhat to read that more than 4 million Americans are going to be cut off from federal provided jobless benefits in the next few weeks.  Apparently, 25 states, all led by Republicans, decided to halt some or all emergency benefits months ahead of schedule.  It appears that some business owners and managers have argued that the assistance income, which enabled people to pay rent and buy groceries when much of the economy was shut down, is now dissuading them from applying for jobs.  Many of the businesses affected are in the service and hospitality sectors.  However, the current reluctance or unavailability of workers to return to work can easily be explained by a number of evident factors.

Firstly, since March of 2020, lockdowns imposed by states and cities greatly affected restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. which are comprised often of low-paying employment.  During the past year, many former employees chose to look for other employment, especially attracted by higher wages and benefits offered by bigger employers, like Amazon and Wal-Mart, who continued to rake in the money as a result of on-line purchases and increased customer needs during the lockdowns.  Entry-level workers in service, hospitality and recreational sectors typically earned about $10 to $12 an hour.  These days, as noted by many small-business owners, anyone paying that rate risks losing workers to employers like Amazon where starting pay is $15 an hour.  On top of which, inflationary trends are on the increase.

Secondly, in the short-term with the quick opening of many businesses, it can be expected that employers will face a sudden increased demand for experienced workers.  This will probably force some businesses to offer higher wages in order to attract workers, which some have shown a reluctance to do so because of economic uncertainties.  Higher wages however have already benefited students who are looking for summer employment, especially in the recreational and tourism sectors.

Thirdly, the pandemic is anything but over.  In the U.S., an average of 15,000 new cases and more than 400 related deaths are being reported daily across the country.  Barely 40 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated.  Among those Americans receiving assistance, there are those who have underlying health conditions or have members of their families who are vulnerable to COVID-19.  Needless-to-say, these workers are reluctant to return to work under the current circumstances, especially where masks and physical distancing aren’t required at work.

Finally, women have been especially affected by the lost of employment in these sectors during the past year.  The biggest issue for those with families is the lack of affordable and safe child and elder care.  This was a pre-pandemic and will remain a major post-pandemic problem.

It’s unfortunate that Republicans have chosen to push their argument that pandemic jobless relief is hindering the U.S. recovery.  The crazy thing is that the balk of income and unemployment assistance is being paid for by the Feds.  Let’s face reality, there will be normal delays associated with reopening a mammoth economy.  It’s simply too soon to pressure individuals facing several obvious hurdles to obtain work at this time.  In their hurry to remove health-related restrictions and in the face of potential new variants, states and cities are risking the possibility of incurring a fourth wave of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations — this time primarily among younger people who appear hesitant to get vaccinated.  Will there be a consequent need for future lockdowns?  Let’s hope not!  Only time will tell.  In the meantime, these unfortunate people continue to need our help.

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May 15

To Mask or Not to Mask? That is the Question.

by bcurry

This past week, Director Rochelle Walensky of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CSC) announced the CDC ‘s recommendation that anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor or outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing.  Subsequently, President Biden reiterated the CDC’s recommendation in a press conference, suggesting that if Americans wanted to get rid of their masks, they should get vaccinated.  However, as in everything about COVID-19, there is again confusion as to what this actually means.  As it pertains to states and municipalities, there are those that had already lifted masking restrictions and those that indicated they will continue the restrictions for the time being.  Labour groups and others warned that employees at stores, restaurants, bars and other businesses could be left exposed to the coronavirus from customers and could be forced into the unwanted role of “vaccination police.”  Who will have to police the need for a mask and how will one prove that one has received sufficient doses of a vaccine to be fully immunized?

In Canada, there continues to be a reluctance to remove masking requirements, particularly indoors, because of the existence of remaining hot spots and high case rates in some regions.  This is despite the fact that almost half the population has received their first vaccine shot.  Except for a very few anti-mask groups, Canadians appear to be more willing to maintain the course.  As with the general approach to the pandemic, Canadians have been supportive of lockdowns and other preventive measures.  Unlike Americans, Canadians did not portray masking as a political issue, a perception propagated by several prominent American leaders including former President Donald Trump.  One has to ask how individual liberties take precedent over the health and safety of the community at large and the impact on front-line workers?  With close to 600,000 COVID-related deaths in the U.S. to date, Americans and their leaders appear to have already answered this question.  Indeed, several mask supporters were voted out of office in a number of jurisdictions and threats were made against politicians and officials in other places over restrictions.

The experts have made it clear all along, whether vaccinated fully or not, wearing masks helps to control the spread of the virus within the community.  The CDC’s declaration is seen by many as being to soon and too fast given that the number of cases in certain states and localities remains high.  It appears that the agency’s approach has quickly gone from one extreme to another. Add to this the fact that the agency still recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation, as well as in health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and where required by state and local governments, or businesses.  No wonder Americans are confused once again!

As far as I’m concerned, even with having been vaccinated, I will continue to wear a mask as long as it is deemed appropriate, especially in indoor public spaces.  I believe that most Canadians feel the same way.  It’s the least selfish thing that one can do under the circumstances. 

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May 9

Reopening of Businesses Brings With It a Shortage of Workers

by bcurry

As immunization of populations against COVID-19 accelerates in the U.S., Canada and the European Union, the lessening of restrictions will allow more and more businesses to reopen, particularly in the leisure and hospitality sectors.  However, in the U.S. and Canada, federal governments had introduced additional unemployment benefits and stimulus checks to provide financial assistance to people who lost their jobs during the pandemic.  Many of the pandemic-related programs are expected to continue to the end of this summer.  However, as more businesses reopen, there will be a demand for workers to return.  The apparent data currently indicates that many workers are reluctant to return to former employment at this time for a number of very valid reasons.  Employers say it is increasingly difficult to attract job seekers to an industry whose future is more or less tied to whims of the coronavirus and the uncertainty of vaccination campaigns. 

The fact of the matter is that there continue to be pockets of COVID outbreaks in both the U.S. and Canada, regardless of increased immunization within the population.  The chances of front-line workers being exposed to the coronavirus remain high with the arrival of more contagious variants.  A good deal of uncertainty still exists.  With the unemployment benefits in place, one cannot blame many workers for being cautious about returning to employment, especially that which involves low-paying jobs.  In addition, women in particular are affected by the lack of affordable and safe daycare for their children.  Remember that in many jurisdictions, schools remain closed and on-line learning, where available, continues to offer a safer option.

Several American states, more so than Canadian provinces, have moved quickly to open up their economies.  However, despite everything, the pandemic is definitely not over.  Indeed, the so-called ‘third wave’ has been worst in terms of hospitalizations, especially among younger Americans and Canadians.  Case loads are still far too high, threatening to overload health care systems.  For this reason, some governments are reluctant to move too quickly in reopening businesses deemed non-essential.  Here in Canada, until a certain proportion of the population is fully immunized, governments actually prefer that many non-essential workers remain at home.  However, in the U.S., some Republican governors have started slashing jobless benefits in their states, hoping that the loss of generous federal aid might force more people to try to return to work.  Other states now require residents to prove they are seeking jobs to continue collecting benefits.

This past week, it was reported that just 266,000 jobs were added in the U.S. which was a disappointment since expectations were high for a hiring surge in April.  It was anticipated that potentially a million Americans would have returned to work.  Regardless of the impact of unemployment benefits on employment hesitancy, the fact is that many front-line workers continue to be concerned about the pandemic in their industries.  For obvious reasons, people don’t want to be bringing home the virus to their families.  Also, A Pew Research Center survey earlier this year found that 66 percent of the unemployed had “seriously considered” changing their field of work, a far greater percentage than during the Great Recession.  People are now more aware of the potential dangers of such outbreaks, and would be more inclined to seek other less hazardous employment.  As reported for example, grocery stores in the U.S. shed over 49,000 workers in April and nursing care facilities lost nearly 20,000 workers.  The same considerations can be found among Canadian workers in these and other sectors.  In addition, more affluent Americans and Canadians are retiring early because their retirement portfolios have surged in the past year and the pandemic may have taught them that life is too short.

In conclusion, what the pandemic has done is force many of the affected unemployed to reassess their future.  Employers will have to also reassess their employment benefits, working conditions and levels of compensation in order to attract and recruit workers.  As a consequence of the pandemic, the eventual result will most likely represent a major change in the operation of labour markets in most industrialized countries, including those in the so-called ‘gig economy’.

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Apr 15

U.S. Should Take Lead In Global COVID Vaccination For Vulnerable Countries

by bcurry

Having just read a recent report by the American Centre for Strategic and International Affairs, it became clearly evident that the U.S. helping to secure the future of lower- and middle-income countries is simply the right thing to do, on humanitarian, economic, and security grounds.  This means taking a clear lead on helping to provide supplies of COVID vaccines to vulnerable poorer countries in Africa and the Americas.  The facts are that the U.S. has already purchased 1.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines from six companies, enough to vaccinate 650 million people — nearly twice the U.S. population.  Meanwhile, recent reports say 300 million vaccine doses could be in the U.S. by July of this year, sparking hoarding worries.

The Biden administration is apparently leaning toward keeping the doses it has ordered, and then at some point directing the excess to other nations in either bilateral deals or giving it to Covax.  Covax is an international nonprofit organization backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) that is trying to coordinate equitable distribution of vaccine among vulnerable countries.  The Biden administration has already donated $3.5 billion for the Global Fund in support of the international effort.  The recent passed American Rescue Plan also included a further $11 billion to support the global Covid-19 response, $3 billion for U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), $650 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) global Covid-19 response, and $300 million for the Center for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovation (CEPI).  An excellent start to help combat the global pandemic.

However, the Centre for Strategic and International Affairs strongly suggests that the U.S. bring considerable leverage to any global strategy on vaccines.  It is after all the biggest vaccine market and the largest investor in vaccines, with the deepest impact on research and development of new products.  In addition, the Centre’s report suggests that the U.S. should work with multilateral efforts to create fiscal space in lower- and middle-income countries to invest in their health infrastructure, which will be essential for responding to the current crisis as well as making investments in future pandemic preparedness.  It’s one thing to supply vaccines, it’s another to actually deliver and immunize a population affected by difficult regional transportation and few local health care capacities.  These multilateral investments must continue into the future if vulnerable countries are to control future outbreaks and protect the health of their citizens.

We have already seen the foreign policy moves by China and Russia to supply vaccines strategically to vulnerable countries as an additional means of exerting their political and economic influence in the Americas, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.  Western countries, led by the U.S., cannot afford to ignore such vaccine supply initiatives underway in these strategic regions.  Furthermore, millions of lives are at stake given the current increasing spread of COVID variants in these regions.  The global response to this pandemic must be met through an international approach to be successful.  Who else is in a better position to lead this response than the United States?

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Apr 11

Hesitancy About Getting COVID Vaccine Remains A Major Concern

by bcurry

In both the U.S. and Canada there is a hesitancy among a certain portion of the population about getting the COVID vaccine, despite the recent surge in vaccine supplies in recent weeks.  The concern is often due to various forms of vaccine scepticism, sometimes attributed to peoples’ continuing distrust of government or mistrust of the health care system.  In the U.S., this mistrust is particularly evident among African Americans, notably where the health care system has frequently let them down in the past.  Among a significant number of white Republican supporters, including college-educated Republican women under age 49, much of the hesitancy can be attributed to the misinformation that flourishes on social media and the mixed messaging from Republican governors that leave people confused.  A number of heavily Republican states are currently finding themselves with surpluses of vaccine doses, including Oklahoma, Ohio, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Alabama. 

Part of the problem is that several of these states have eased their restrictions thereby sending a message opposite to a narrative that promotes the urgency of vaccinations.  With the rise in cases involving so-called variants, such as the U.K. variant which is believed to be about 60 percent more contagious and 67 percent deadlier than the original version of the virus, the U.S. and Canada must take the matter of vaccine scepticism seriously.  Both countries have seen a recent surge in outbreaks despite the arrival of vaccines.  The hesitancy has national implications.  As alluded to on several occasions, experts suggest that between 70 percent to 90 percent of all Americans and Canadians must be vaccinated for a country to reach herd immunity, the point at which the virus can no longer spread through the population.

Fortunately, the issue of vaccine hesitancy may be less of a concern in Canada.  A survey of Canadians in March by the Angus Reid Institute noted that the number of respondents who said they would not get the vaccine at all remained relatively steady at about 12 percent.  Since last fall, Canadians’ hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccine appears to have been dropping, with a good majority (over 80 percent) stating that they would get the vaccine as soon as possible.  Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for many Americans.  For example, according to several recent surveys, nearly half of all Republican men and 40 percent of Republicans overall have said they do not plan to get vaccinated.  This attitude is further reflected in their continuing hesitancy to wear facial masks and to socially distance, something the Trump administration encouraged at the pandemic’s outset.

Since it appears that there are people who mistrust politicians on the matter of COVID vaccination, some public health experts suggest that what’s needed are well-crafted messages delivered by doctors, religious leaders and other figures who are trusted in a particular community.  Unless vaccine hesitancy is reduced significantly, there is a real danger of vaccines sitting on shelves somewhere, and possibly passing their best before dates.  In the fight against the spread of the variants, neither the U.S. nor Canada can afford to have this happen!

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Apr 5

Will Religious Organizations Help Prolong The Pandemic?

by bcurry

Once again, we are witnessing a struggle between science and religious beliefs.  This time it has become even more political as a result of states and provinces continuing restrictions on gatherings and rolling out COVID-19 vaccines.  Some churches in both the U.S. and Canada have refused to comply with government restrictions on the size of gatherings, arguing it goes against freedom of religion rights.  However, the courts have generally ruled that governments have a right to implement such restrictions as a matter of public safety, especially given the serious nature of the pandemic.  Then there are the arguments by some churches against being vaccinated, again on religious grounds.  This has major implications for ending the global pandemic and eventually establishing what is referred to as “herd immunity”.

In the U.S. alone there are about 41 million white evangelical adults.  According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center in February, about 45 percent said that they would not get vaccinated against COVID-19, making them among the least likely demographic groups to do so.  In comparison, 22 percent of Catholics in America say they will not get the vaccine, despite the fact that the Vatican has concluded the vaccines are “morally acceptable” and has emphasized the immediate danger posed by the virus.  A number of leaders of white evangelical congregations have been forced out of their churches after promoting health and vaccination guidelines.  Much of the opposition is rooted in a mix of religious faith and a long-standing wariness of mainstream science.  Opposition is also being fuelled by a broader cultural distrust of institutions and gravitation to online conspiracy theories, making such beliefs governed increasingly by political considerations.  There is one clear unavoidable fact that the rates of COVID-19 death have been about twice as high for Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans/Canadians as for white Americans and Canadians.  For this reason, despite over half a million COVID deaths in the U.S., perhaps these white evangelicals don’t believe they are at risk.

What is making the situation worst is the fact that religious leaders continue to mistrust scientific leaders by pointing to sources of misinformation on both sides.  In the case of evangelicals, it is only other evangelicals who can really provide informed guidance based on the facts surrounding this pandemic and the steps needed to end it.  Some leaders have already attempted to try to sway their followers towards the need for vaccination and to continue to take precautions in the short-term at least.  However, as one expert notes, distrust of scientists has become part of cultural identity, of what it means to be white and evangelical in America and Canada.

As both countries go through another wave of coronavirus involving more deadly variants, both political and religious leaders are going to have to convince an outstanding part of the populations that is against being vaccinated on religious and political grounds.  Churches also have a major role to play in poorer more vulnerable countries where there are significant evangelical populations.  Simply put, trusting in God and ignoring the real consequences of this disease isn’t going to help resolve the problem of millions of related deaths occurring around the world.  Whatever our beliefs, we owe it to our fellow humanity to help put an end to this scourge once and for all.  Opposition to the vaccines and restrictions, whether religious or otherwise, has to be overcome sooner rather than later. 

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Apr 1

Current Restrictions on Americans Entering Canada Tough to Take

by bcurry

Canada and the U.S. have the longest land border in the world, one which is normally open for Canadians and Americans to easily cross.  This all changed with the advent of COVID-19 last spring.  Except for essential trade items, land border restrictions for travel between Canada and the U.S. came into effect a year ago and remain in effect through April 21, 2021.  Given the current increase in coronavirus cases in both countries, the restrictions most likely will be extended.  Needless-to-say, this has had a horrific impact on tourism in both countries.

On the other hand, air travel between both countries does allow for the entry of Americans and Canadians into Canada and vice versa but with numerous restrictions.  All airline passengers aged two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel.  Travelers entering Canada must present a credible 14-day quarantine plan.  Failure to provide a negative COVID-19 viral test will require airline passengers to take a COVID-19 molecular test upon their arrival in Canada.  Passengers then must stay in an approved hotel for three nights awaiting the results of the viral test.  Those who test positive are required to finish their 14-day quarantine in a Canadian government-designated facility.  All of this at the cost of the travelers, which can add up to thousands of dollars.

Failure to comply with the current Canadian border restrictions is a serious matter.  Compliance failure is considered an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to up to $750,000 in fines, and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months.  Something not to be sneezed at!  One can see that, unless someone is involved in essential work and is required to travel, most average Americans will avoid travelling to Canada by air or by land.  Indeed, except for essential workers such as truckers hauling goods across the border, most Americans are being turned away at the border crossings.  This is particularly tough on families where family members are located in both countries.  Allowing for entry because of humanitarian reasons is determined based on each individual case and can take time to adjudicate.  Good luck!

Fortunately, in their usual spirit of cooperation both countries have agreed to each other’s restrictions.  However, this does not make it any easier and numerous complaints have surfaced about the handling of situations involving both Canadians and Americans.  In the meantime, until this pandemic is truly under control, one can only predict that such restrictions will remain in effect for travel between the two countries in the coming months.  Both governments simply prefer that we don’t travel — period.

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Mar 4

There May Be Light At The End Of The Tunnel, But How Long Is The COVID Tunnel?

by bcurry

Today one hears a lot of spokespersons stating that we can now see a light at the end of the COVID tunnel.  However, I would ask just how long the tunnel is?  Yes, we fortunately have seen the incredible introduction of several effective vaccines in the U.S., Canada, Europe and elsewhere.  However, although the inoculation of people against the coronavirus, especially those who are vulnerable, is great, the slow speed with which the vaccinations are taking place is worrisome.  Then there are those who believe that it is alright to now remove the pandemic control measures, such as wearing masks in public, restricted business openings and social distancing.  Recently, the governors of Texas and Mississippi lifted state-wide mask requirements and have allowed all businesses to operate at full capacity.  In the case of Texas, this was done even though the state considerably trails the national average for vaccinations.  Texas recently recorded more than 7,000 new cases daily and, in recent weeks, ominous variants of the virus have appeared in the state.  Indeed, Houston became the first American city to record five of the COVID-19 variants circulating worldwide, including a number from Brazil.

When it comes to dealing with COVID variances, one can learn a lot from the current Brazilian experience.  No other nation that experienced such a major pandemic outbreak is still grappling with record-setting death tolls and has a health care system on the brink of collapse.  Much of this is due to the emergence of a variant that swept through the certain Brazilian cities.  The variant is not only more contagious, but also appears able to infect some people who have already recovered from other versions of the coronavirus.  Throughout the pandemic, researchers have said that COVID re-infections appear to be extremely rare, allowing people who recover to presume they have immunity, at least for a while.  However, in the case of this new Brazilian variant, it has been reported that some who recovered from COVID-19 months ago had fallen ill again and tested positive.  This suggests that researchers in the coming weeks and months will have to constantly be modifying the vaccines to deal with such variants, including that from Brazil.

What this developing situation implies is that, while taking tentative steps toward a semblance of so-called normalcy, countries will have to be very careful about lifting restrictions too soon.  In both the U.S. and Canada, health officials continue to plead for everyone to maintain social distancing and mask-wearing.  Simply by too quickly lifting official sanctions related to transmission precautions, governments are sending out the wrong messages that this pandemic is soon coming to an end.  There is little doubt that after over a year of lockdowns, economic costs and public restrictions, there is a degree of “pandemic fatigue”.  While vaccines offer hope, until a sufficient percentage of the population is fully vaccinated the danger of the re-emergence of the virus in new and more lethal forms is always there.  One only has to look at Brazil and the fact that Texas is seeing an increase in new COVID cases and emerging variants of the virus.  Yes, optimistically there is perhaps light at the end of tunnel, but the tunnel appears to be a long one!

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