As it is not possible to eradicate it, yes, we are all going to get it eventually. At some point in our lives every one of us is going to get COVID-19. And yes, every one of us is going to get it multiple times. The outcome is not worse every time you get it, all that study said is that there is not no risk of severe outcomes/long COVID from reinfection. That ONE study, which by the way did not correct for the possibility that reinfection risk may be higher for people with underlying conditions.

There is no way to "stop the madness" because COVID is going to become endemic.

Which means that what we need to do is:

1. Stay up to date on our vaccinations. The more vaccines you have had, the higher the chance of COVID being a mild annoyance as opposed to something dangerous. And if a universal vaccine, nasal spray vaccine, or other second generation vaccine comes out, get it! There's a universal coronavirus vaccine going into phase I right now.

2. Mask when the situation warrants it. Right now I am, yes, still masking in the grocery store and on public transportation, and eating outside when I eat out. And I will absolutely be masking in the grocery store at least until I get an Omicron-specific booster. I absolutely agree with masking, but it also makes life a lot more difficult for people with hearing impairment or audiosensory issues.

3. Stay home when sick. Let employees stay home when sick. Heck, MAKE employees stay home when sick...and pay them. It's cheaper than having everyone get it, people, dang it.

But we do need to accept that we can't get rid of this virus, and it's not just about the economy. It's literally not feasible to get rid of it. I wish it was, believe me. Each COVID wave is showing a lower rate of hospitalization and death, especially if you allow for the large number of unreported infections. Long COVID is less common with Omicron than with Delta. So things are moving in the right direction. I do wish more people would mask up for just a bit longer, though.

I'm not being gaslit. I accepted reality in March 2020...the virus was going to become endemic and I was going to get it...and get it...my focus has been on putting it off as long as possible so that I can get vaccinated a few times first and won't get as sick.

Also, we need to improve building ventilation systems, but that's not within the power of most of us, sadly.