You’ve probably noticed that the COVID-19 pandemic has come to Philadelphia in waves. During a wave, lots of people get sick, the Health Department institutes mitigation measures, and things get better. Then a new variant comes along and sends us right back into the pandemic.
It may be overwhelming at times, but we have learned from this experience that there are things we can do to help break the cycle. Mandates and other mitigation measures work and prevent the waves from being worse.
It’s important that restrictions are in place when COVID-19 is actively circulating widely in Philadelphia to help protect the most vulnerable people. It’s also important that we get a respite from those restrictions when things are relatively safer.
What’s happening?
Simply put, when the number of COVID-19 cases has dropped and the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 goes way down, it means we’re no longer in a COVID-19 wave. The disease is no longer widely spreading in Philadelphia, so the City’s COVID-19 Response Levels allow us to relax our restrictions.
When the disease isn’t spreading widely, it means that everyone’s risk is lower. It’s now safer to do many of the things we love. It’s still not completely safe, and some Philadelphians are still at a higher risk from COVID-19. Overall, though, things are getting better.
The time between COVID-19 waves gives us hope that one day soon, we will be past COVID.
What does that mean?
Does that mean that the pandemic is over? It might feel that way but given that so many people around the world are unvaccinated, it’s possible that we’ll see another wave and more people getting sick. So far, we’ve been through several COVID-19 waves, and it’s impossible to predict when, and even if, another one is coming. However, this doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy this time.
So, what can I do now?
When Philadelphia is in the All Clear COVID-19 Response Level, it means all of the City’s restrictions have been dropped. You can:
- Go maskless in most indoor public places
- See friends and family
- HUG friends and family
- Enjoy dining in your favorite restaurants
- Visit the city’s museums
- Get back to enjoying so many other parts of Philly that you’ve missed
Now is the time to take advantage of the slowdown in COVID-19 in our lives. Enjoying all those things you love again is good for your mental health.
What should I do now?
Besides enjoying our well-earned time away from COVID-19 restrictions and worry, there’s plenty we all should be doing. You’ll notice this blog post isn’t talking about the pandemic being over. It’s about what you should do in case another wave of COVID-19 comes again someday.
Like the ant in Aesop’s classic fable, The Ant and the Grasshopper, we need to begin getting ready before things get bad again. Luckily, these are not difficult things to do. Remember all the things you wished you had done during previous COVID-19 waves. Now’s the time to start doing them.
- Get up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations – Studies have shown that having received a booster dose is very protective against severe COVID-19, hospitalization, and death. Getting everyone you love up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines is the most important thing you can do to prepare for another COVID-19 wave. You can find free vaccine clinics here or here.
- Stock up on masks – Masks have been shown to be one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from being infected with COVID-19. If you’re running low on masks or know you’ll need more if we need to start wearing them again, buy them now while they’re plentiful. Or get free N-95s from the federal government.
- Stock up on COVID-19 tests – We all remember how difficult it was to find COVID tests during the worst COVID-19 waves. Don’t get stuck going to store after store or standing in line for hours surrounded by other people who might have COVID-19. Get your free COVID-19 tests from the federal government today and be ready in case someone in your home starts feeling sick.
- Pay attention to what’s going on with the pandemic – They say that forewarned is forearmed. If you look for the warning signs, you might even get a heads up that more difficult times are coming. In the past, we’ve seen COVID-19 cases rise in places like Europe and the United Kingdom before we see them in the United States. If we start to see cases rise there, it’s a good idea to start preparing yourself. Cases tend to rise in bigger cities like Los Angeles and New York City before they do in Philadelphia. If you see those places start to experience more COVID-19 cases, get ready because we might be next. To find out what’s going on in Philadelphia, be sure to follow the Health Department on Twitter, and sign up to receive text alerts by texting COVIDPHL to 888-777.
What if that was the last variant? Would we be done then?
When that happens, the Health Department will be celebrating. Once we get to a point where the number of people getting sick from COVID-19 drops everywhere in the world, and many, many more people are vaccinated, that’s a sign that we might actually be past COVID-19.
Until that that happens, though, it’s very possible that we could have more variants and more COVID-19 waves. If something else does come along, and you did all of the things that you should have, you’ll be better prepared to protect yourself, your loved ones, your family, and your community.
