California's new coronavirus wave is disrupting lives, even with less severe illness
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-01/second-omicron-wave-shows-covid-19-is-still-highly-disruptive
If we continue on the current trajectory, we could find that cases and hospitalizations end up exerting stress on our healthcare system within just a few weeks, Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said during a recent briefing.
Some observers say theres no sign that California is nearing a peak, as the latest variants exceptional contagiousness is thought to be approaching that of measles. State modeling suggests that the spread of COVID-19 is likely still increasing in Southern California, the San Joaquin Valley and Greater Sacramento.
Even if hospitals dont become burdened, theres concern that climbing rates of transmission could keep people at home for a week or more, ruining plans for graduations, weddings and vacations and making it difficult for businesses to maintain adequate staffing.
Theres also worry that unlike in previous waves, people tired of the pandemic will be less willing to wear masks or take other measures to reduce coronavirus spread, potentially threatening the health of vulnerable people at higher risk of severe complications and increasing the chance of people suffering from long COVID."