Reflecting on the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-Year Journey
On Thanksgiving, Dr. Joseph Varon provided comfort to a patient in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston. This powerful image captures the end of a three-year journey that forever changed the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Friday that the coronavirus emergency was officially “over,” marking a significant milestone.
Back on January 30, 2020, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a crucial announcement. With confirmed deaths in China and an emerging threat spreading across the globe, Dr. Tedros declared a worldwide public health emergency. Little did we know, this declaration would reshape our lives and alter our perception of the 21st century.
The virus swiftly traveled from China to Iran to Italy, and the United States prepared itself for the inevitable impact. The Grand Princess cruise ship became a hotspot for COVID-19, prompting concern from President Trump. However, the virus was relentless, taking advantage of easy travel in a globalized world.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO upgraded the coronavirus to a pandemic. The United States and Europe went into lockdown, and the bustling cities became ghost towns. As fear gripped the world, people turned to hand-washing videos and adopted strict sanitization measures. Meanwhile, the Trump administration introduced the “15 Days to Slow the Spread” strategy, aiming to flatten the infection rate curve and achieve herd immunity.
However, impatience soon grew. Trump predicted the pandemic would be over by Easter, leading to premature reopenings in certain states. It would be three years filled with masks, swabs, and vaccinations before the virus finally subsided. Vaccines and prior infections began to hinder the virus’s spread, allowing us to gradually reclaim our lives.
Moving into 2021, cautiousness remained in Democratic-controlled states and cities due to the reduced risk of death and serious illness from widespread vaccinations. However, impatience eventually emerged, as seen with the Republican victory in Virginia’s gubernatorial election. Pandemic restrictions were challenged, and the once-unified nation became intensely polarized.
On Friday, Dr. Tedros addressed the media, acknowledging the obvious: the COVID-19 pandemic was no longer a global health emergency. However, he emphasized the importance of long-term management, stating that the virus is still present and continues to cause illness and death on a daily basis.
The world has come to terms with this reality. Even China, known for its cautiousness, abandoned its “zero-COVID” policy due to public frustration with lockdowns. In the United States, public health and national emergencies are fading away. Vaccination requirements are being lifted, and President Biden has resumed travel and large gatherings at the White House.
While many Americans are ready to embrace this new phase, a minority remains cautious, continuing to practice preventive measures. They believe that the vulnerable were forsaken in the rush to return to normalcy. However, the end of the WHO emergency may embolden those who advocate for dismantling the remaining remnants of pandemic life.
As we move forward, it is essential to recognize that the world has changed. The desire to return to pre-pandemic times lingers, but it is vital to adapt to this new reality. The bond we once shared in the face of adversity has diminished, unveiling a deeply divided nation.
