“We are moving past the crisis phase into a phase where we will work to live with this virus, and we will maintain a readiness posture and stay on top of the nature of change that is so self-evident with this pandemic and disease,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a news conference [see below]. “We are moving … away from a more control construct of mandates to one where we create the conditions and an environment where we are not reacting but we are maintaining a posture where we are staying on top of the mutations … and making sure that we are communicating more effectively.”
The state’s “SMARTER” plan continues to emphasize the importance of vaccinations and testing, along with continued education about the virus, communication with residents about conditions as they change and vigilance for new variants that could potentially emerge and lead to new surges. The tenants of the plan are SMARTER — shots, masks, awareness, readiness, testing, education and “Rx,” or treatment.
“It is clear the virus will remain with us for some time, if not forever,” according to the official document released by the governor’s office. “It is less clear how often and how much it will continue to impact our health and well-being. However, we know what works, and have built the necessary tools over the last two years that allows us to learn and hone our defenses to this virus as it evolves.”
The plan moves the state beyond the pandemic and more into an “endemic” stage in which residents will learn to co-exist with a stubborn virus.
“Today is about balance almost more than it is about anything else,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s Health and Human Services secretary. “Balance between a message of hope and successful adaptation, but also prepared vigilance. Today is not about moving on, but rather about moving forward.”
Ghaly said the framework is founded in the knowledge that has been collected about the virus over the past two years, including the best ways to respond to certain types of new variants. It also acknowledges growing immunity across the state, be it through vaccination or prior infection or both. The overall theme is one of preparedness, Ghaly said.
Part of that preparedness will be a state stockpile of masks, ventilators, over-the-counter tests and other resources necessary to respond if outbreaks occur. Ghaly said that unlike past pandemic-response plans, the SMARTER framework does not contain pre-determined thresholds that would trigger select restrictions.
“We’re gliding into normal. We’re not announcing the normal. …. This is a state that’s going to have tools available and keep our antennas up,” Ghaly said.
“It’s going to give us confidence on how to move about not in fear any longer but with a sense that we at the state are going to have everyone’s back, giving good information that’s clear and allow them (residents) to do many of the things that maybe they’ve put on hold, which they’re just starting to get to do and do it with confidence,” he said. “And that also includes being able to tell folks when we’re seeing something of concern.”
–
Tim Scott says
Imagine how much easier this co-existence would be if we had had the kind of initial containment and response to the covid virus that we had with the ebola virus. Of course, that required leadership in a coordinated international effort, and the only office that carries the weight to potentially provide such leadership is the US presidency, which was occupied at the time by a complete boob. Thanks “well, he’s not really qualified but let’s give him a chance and see how it goes” voters.
MIT says
The difference between Corona viruses and Ebola are stark. Ebola has a death rate of >40% (CDC). COVID-19 has a rate of 1% (0.3% under 65). C19 is a highly transmissible respiratory illness. Ebola is only transmissible by direct contact.
Measles is a better analog with a similar death rate. However, the Measles vaccine is 99% effective while the various C19 vaccines are much less, depending on the variant. The real question is whether C19 will mutate like Influenza.
Using politics to ‘prove’ your point is a waste of time. The faithful will nod along with you and the other side will call you names. Try going with a reasoned argument next time Tim.
Tim Scott says
I was just sniping, not really trying to prove anything.
I don’t think measles is a comparable here either. Mortality rate from measles (in a country with at least moderate medical care readily available) is not really comparable to covid. When I was a kid literally everyone got the measles and frankly no one really cared.