Subvariant of omicron is the dominant one in the US, according to the CDC 1:49
(CNN) ––
Covid-19 may not be done with us.
But we are really tired of him.
Omicron subvariant BA.2 is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States, according to the CDC
That sentiment is screamed loudly by a new national survey from Monmouth University released this week.
Let's consider:
1. More than 3 in 4 Americans (77%) support relaxing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on the use of masks and social distancing in areas with low rates of covid-19.
2. About 3 in 4 (73%) also agree with the statement that "it's time we accept that covid-19 is here to stay and we just have to get on with our lives."
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3. Among that last group, more than 4 in 10 want no future regulations or mandates related to covid-19.
Should we be concerned that the BA.2 subvariant of the new coronavirus is more infectious?
And according to a new AP-NORC survey, 44% of Americans said they frequently or always wear masks when around people outside their homes.
That is down from 65% in January 2022 and 82% in February 2021.
These numbers come even as the BA.2 subvariant of omicron is now the dominant strain in the US.
What these surveys make clear is that no matter what happens, most people don't want to go back to where they were three months ago, or a year ago, or two years ago.
Could the new subvariant BA.2 of the coronavirus cause another wave?
A medical expert explains
That's why you've seen politicians -- Republicans and Democrats -- turn in the last two months to repeal mask mandates and other mitigation measures.
(No state currently has a mandatory indoor mask order.)
And he also explains that no politician will rush to reinstate any kind of mandate, even if the omicron sub-variant produces a surge in cases across the country.
(Covid-19 cases are increasing in 13 states this week compared to last week, according to Johns Hopkins University.)
There is no doubt that the highly contagious subvariant will continue to spread in the coming weeks.
But it is equally clear that the days of government mandated mitigation measures, primarily through mask mandates, are over.
The point: The pandemic appears to be over for most Americans. Even if the virus is not done with us yet.
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