2022: COVID Year in Review: The year opened with a major COVID surge, as the US reported over 1 million new COVID cases on January 4. As the Delta variant tightened its grip, the country had record COVID hospitalizations by January 11. By late January, Omicron subvariants were multiplying as the new variant was displacing Delta. By late February, CDC was easing mask guidance. In late March, Omicron BA2 became the dominant global variant.
In April, the world surpassed 500 million reported COVID cases, with many countries suspected of severe underreporting. By early May, the FDA limited use of the J&J vaccine. The US also exceeded 1 million COVID deaths. In June, the monkeypox spread came to light. The FDA also authorized a COVID vaccine for toddlers.
In July, the ongoing risk of long COVID gained more attention. Omicron BA.5 strengthened its grip on the US. In late August, the polio virus was detected in upstate New York. Also, there was a shake-up at CDC over COVID missteps. By late September, the latest COVID booster (for Omicron) had reached 3 million Americans, but uptake was going slower than expected.
In October, Omicron BQ.1/BQ.1.1 moved toward US dominance while the new variant XBB created additional concern. China continued to stick with Zero COVID despite increasing global criticism and significant economic impact. November saw encouraging data from Pfizer on an RSV vaccine, while in mid-November China began adjustment of its Zero COVID program. We also learned the risk of diabetes increases after having COVID. December saw another surge in US hospitalizations from COVID.
At year end, China’s move to fully relax COVID restrictions has led to a tsunami of cases, while China sharply curtailed its COVID reporting. Some models predict 1 to 1.5 million COVID deaths; my personal expectation is at least 2.5 million deaths in China. Zero COVID gave China considerable time to effectively immunize its population; they just did not do it. Given the available medical knowledge, it is hard to understand China’s policy unless we conclude the mass murder of its citizens is intentional.
Meanwhile, the US continues to face a COVID death rate of around 150,000 a year. Despite having effective vaccines and boosters, there continues to be slow uptake of the boosters by the US population. This result comes from the politics of disinformation from GOP politicians, as the death rate is clearly higher for Republicans than for Democrats.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
The bogus “immunity debt” idea: https://news.yahoo.com/some-are-blaming-immunity-debt-for-the-tripledemic-but-experts-disagree-195402893.html . Bottom line: Your immune system does not require stimulation to remain strong. Intentionally exposing anyone to disease for the purpose of protection is a bad practice, especially for children, and can be life threatening.
WSJ: Xi acknowledges COVID disruption: https://www.wsj.com/articles/xi-jinping-provides-rare-acknowledgment-of-covid-policies-toll-11672494454 .
WSJ: COVID hits China’s economy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-economy-reels-as-beijing-lifts-zero-covid-measures-11672459264 .
Russia again focuses on civilian targets in Ukraine: https://news.yahoo.com/russia-launches-major-new-years-eve-missile-strike-against-ukraine-211454565.html .
WSJ: Kim continues North Korea military missile build-up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-vows-to-increase-nuclear-arsenal-11672543193 . Not exactly “Happy New Year”, is it?
WSJ: Congress reconsiders crypto after FTX bankruptcy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftx-collapse-puts-crypto-industry-on-the-defensive-in-congress-11672438092 . More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/alameda-sam-bankman-fried-ftx-crypto-crash-11672434101 .
TCU outguns Michigan to win Fiesta Bowl 51-45: https://sports.yahoo.com/fiesta-bowl-the-10-plays-that-powered-tc-us-thrilling-51-45-victory-over-michigan-014420190.html . Michigan made a number of mistakes early, and they could never quite dig out of the hole.
Georgia comes back in the fourth quarter to defeat Ohio State 42-41: https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/georgia-vs-ohio-state-score-dawgs-keep-title-defense-alive-with-gutsy-college-football-playoff-comeback/live/ . Ohio State had a chance late but missed a field goal try.
College football delivered two very competitive semifinals today. The championship game will be played Monday, January 9, at 7:30 pm EST.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passes at 95: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/31/world/pope-benedict-death-final-letter/index.html . Much of what should be said about Benedict is not being said. Prior to his elevation to the papacy, Cardinal Ratzinger was responsible for priests accused of sex abuse of parishioners. Ratzinger carried on the long-term practice of reassigning these priests to other parishes. As far as I’m concerned, this puts the Church ahead of the parishioners and is antithetical to the teachings of Christ (I’ve never been a Catholic, but many in my mother’s family are or were). WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pope-benedict-xvi-was-a-bestselling-author-11672482042 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pope-benedict-xvi-promoted-traditional-faith-contended-with-sex-abuse-crisis-11672482484 (this last article does mention the sex abuse scandal).
Many commentators are focused on the difficulty of this funeral for the Church: https://www.npr.org/2022/12/31/1146459293/pope-benedict-funeral-francis . More: https://www.aol.com/vatican-faces-unprecedented-challenge-hold-110323428.html . On the contrary, Benedict has set a precedent that Francis, who is 86, may wish to follow. And by the way, the Vatican has almost 10 years to think this over.