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By Willie Brown
Summer is definitely here, and with so many things to do this time of year, many of us have the travel bug. Vacations will be at the top of the list for some, and folks will want to go out and explore.
Not to burst your bubble, but I must remind you that Covid is still a thing, and so is summer Covid.
We need to be mindful that we are heading into a summer surge. Just like in the winter when we see a significant spike in the number of Covid cases, there is also a surge that occurs in mid to late summer.
Back in 2020, there were all sorts of theories about who could get Covid, and how the virus was transmitted. There were rumors that you couldn’t get it in warm weather or outdoors. Then we saw a significant number of maskless Trump supporters getting infected with Covid at his rallies and at a White House event in the Rose Garden.
The weather was warm and the events were held outdoors. But that did not kill the virus. And the fact that most chose to abandon their masks increased the likelihood of getting infected.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Covid cases heading into summer 2024 is not nearly as severe as the spikes during the pandemic. However, visits to emergency rooms for Covid have been increasing. Covid hospitalizations are not up, but those numbers usually lag behind the rise in cases and emergency room visits.
We need to remember to take precautions. Older adults, children and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions are advised to follow Covid-prevention protocols. While the Covid booster vaccine for the current strain (JN1) is expected in the fall, make sure you have the most up-to-date booster now.
During vacations, people tend to be lax. They want to have fun and be carefree. So, take action now against Covid so you can enjoy yourself this summer. Consider wearing your mask again, getting a Covid test, and getting the latest booster shot. Take precautions so your summer vacation won’t be ruined by illness.
