Is anyone else tired of this pandemic yet?
Whether we wish for it to continue or not, the COVID-19 virus continues to affect the world around us. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, more travel restrictions when into effect around the globe. Countries blocked travel to and from parts of Africa where the new “Omicron” variant has arisen. Israel completely shut down international travel. The nation of South Africa seemed particularly hard-hit given that they did the right thing and announced a new variant as soon as they could. The virus is already showing up in European countries, but it is doubtful we will watch travel to Europe shut down again. Then again, much stranger things have happened in the past two years…
Within the United States, the country literally feels like two different nations depending on where you are. Things are still relatively locked down in California; things were almost never locked down in Florida. In New York, vaccine passports are required to get inside most public buildings. In Texas masks are seldom required. And despite the difference in approaches to the virus, the results show no easy correlation. Just look at the same exact information presented from two different point of views:
If California had Florida’s Covid death rate an additional 34,000 people would have died. If FL had followed CA, 18,000 less people would have died. #MasksWork #VaccinesWork #CovidIsReal – LA Times Sept 30, 2021
— Vaccines Work. BLM. Matt 25:31-46 (@skiermichael) November 23, 2021
California has now surpassed Florida in all-cause deaths again.
Clearly shows, that restrictive inhumane measures like school closures, lockdowns, mask & vaccinane mandates do not yield better results, than just respecting civil liberties like Florida!#Covid #Covid19 #Corona pic.twitter.com/PA5IamOgBa
— Ben (@USMortality) November 24, 2021
Many people are wondering what they should do in the face of a new variant that may evade vaccination or natural immunity. The stock market dipped largely last week, but is bouncing back early on Monday on good news that the variant may produce mild symptoms. However, things are still early and it is unlikely we will have strong knowledge about the new variant before 2022… just think about how little we know about earlier variants months after their appearances. That the United States will not be introducing new testing to detect the Omicron variant does not instill confidence that the process is divorced from the politics of the pandemic.
As always, That Park Place remains apolitical and is not a site with medical expertise or advice. All we can do is cover the effects on tourism, entertainment, streaming, and other activities of leisure. In that regard, the harm to the tourist industry is likely already underway. Those who have a proclivity for risk aversion in the face of the pandemic are likely adjusting their behaviors due to Omicron, and those risk aversion activities are almost certain to reduce exposure at theme parks, travel locations, restaurants, movie theaters, and more. This comes on the heels of the tourism industry already being hit hard by inflation inside the United States.
As for whether or not you should be going to places like Disney World, Universal Studios, Dollywood, and more… that’s ultimately up to you, your family, and the advice of your medical doctor. None of the theme parks have yet announced changes based on the new variant. We all just have to recognize that we live in a truly unpredictable world right now. Just like always, it seems wise to lose a few pounds, get plenty of sunlight, and do all the things that keep us most healthy.
For more information on the Omicron variant for assisting you in your travel decisions, we recommend the following articles:
How Worried Should You Be? — Fox News
Symptoms May Be Mild — Reuters
What We Know and Don’t Know — New York Magazine
