What, Me Worry? Government Officials Downplay Covid-19 Panic Even As Case Counts Soar
deadline.comEveryone knows the 1964 dark comedy Dr. Strangelove, a Stanley Kubrick film which satirized Cold War fears of a nuclear conflict.But more and more of those with pandemic fatigue across the nation are starting to recognize the film’s sub-title as the way they should be carrying on: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,As we move into the heart of the winter, a strange dichotomy is emerging: while cases of Covid-19 are up across the nation, sparking long testing lines and increased hospital stays in some locations, some officials appear to be tossing up their hands.The federal government has already said they have no solution, kicking the can to the states.
That’s while many state governors are backing off from closings. other new rules and heavy-handed approaches to dealing with the coronavirus.
Instead, they urge caution rather than panic, particularly as the omicron variant appears more contagious but less lethal than previous strains.Utah Gov.
Spencer Cox has suggested Covid-19 and its variants could be treated more like the flu. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is focused on voluntary mask wearing and vaccinations. “We don’t have the practical ability to really put on a statewide mask order at this point,” DeWine said in late December. “I don’t think it’s appropriate at this point.
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