Could our ‘new normal’ be the new normal?
Some scientists are now beginning to wonder if the COVID-19 virus will ever go away or could it become the fifth of the strains of coronaviruses that are already endemic in humans. The official scientific nomenclature for this virus is SARS-CoV-2. Other coronaviruses can cause anything from the common cold to a severe disease like Middle East respiratory syndrome or MERS. An endemic means that we learn to live with it – like the flu viruses that attack us each flu season. WHO Emergencies Director Dr. Mike Ryan warned in May against trying to predict when the virus would disappear even with an approved vaccine.
If this is the case – and there is no definite determination on this from the research that I did while writing this week’s column – then perhaps we will need to rethink the use of facemasks, hand sanitizers and all of the other protections we are taking. Building up at least some type of immunity would seem to be the prudent course of action for a long-term virus.
Let’s talk about the bridge!
The Three Rivers Bridge project, despite some concrete setbacks, is coming along nicely and it won’t be long before we are actually driving on ALL four lanes of fresh concrete and using traffic lights, and everything cool like that. It’s exciting news for our community!
As I am sure all of you know by now, the fall college football season is in jeopardy with the Big Ten cancelling all non-conference games and The Ohio State University Athletic Director Gene Smith telling reporters that he is “very concerned that we might not play.” Smith went on to praise Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for his efforts that had the state of Ohio on a solid downward trajectory – that is until people stopped following the protocols and directives. “We just didn’t respond to opportunities that were provided to us. So, people need to follow the protocols and give our kids a chance to compete.” Those are the words of Gene Smith.
There is debate now about which of the major league teams is built for a 60-game season and the answer is really pretty much the same as for a 162-game season – the Yankees, Dodgers, Astros and Rays. Yep, pretty boring – no Reds, Indians or Pirates among that bunch. The question is – does anyone care about a 60-game season? Sure. There are baseball diehards that are just waiting for that first pitch. But the larger question in my mind is whether baseball will make a comeback next year – because without fans it becomes difficult to pay the bills and salaries. That would be too bad because of all the jobs baseball creates and sustains in communities.
This school year will be challenging, and everyone needs to express appreciation to school superintendents, administrators, school boards and faculty for dealing with a situation that was not expected and for putting in the effort necessary to develop plans for fall. Thank you.
Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion
