Different Takes: Herd Resistance Is The New Goal; Testing Sewage Can Predict Covid Surges and New Variants

Miami Herald: Herd Resistance Will Help Us Get Back To Our Normal Lives 
COVID-19’s omicron variant of seems likely to infect almost everyone, including those already vaccinated and many of those infected by earlier variants. It is rapidly pushing the United States toward “herd resistance.” Unlike herd immunity, where new infections are minimal (think mumps or measles when almost all are vaccinated), herd resistance means that infections will continue, but almost everyone will have defenses (from vaccination, prior infection or both) that usually prevent severe disease or death. (Bernard Black and Martin Skladany, 1/26)

The Star Tribune: A Data Gold Mine In Our Wastewater 
The omicron variant served notice of COVID-19's ability to quickly evolve and outpace our ability to control it. But human capabilities are improving swiftly, too, as the battle against this new pathogen continues into its third year. One scientific advance involves work at surprising locations: Minnesota wastewater treatment plants. (1/26)

The Washington Post: Focus On Rapid Antigen Tests Instead Of PCR Covid Tests 
Everything about testing for covid-19 appears overly complicated. It is no wonder Americans are confused — and getting angry. So here’s a way to simplify our testing game plan: Let’s sideline polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in favor of rapid antigen tests. For most of the pandemic, Americans have been told PCR testing is the gold standard. But in most situations, it is not. Ideally, coronavirus test results should guide actions related to isolation, travel, social interactions or even when to seek treatment options. PCR testing is less than useful to do any of these for two reasons. (Ezekiel Emanuel, David Michaels, Rick Bright and Luciana Borio, 1/26)

Los Angeles Times: Get More Kids Vaccinated Against COVID, Yes, But Two Bills Need More Work 
Despite the number of “breakthrough” infections with the Omicron variant, California kids and their schools would be safer if more students were vaccinated against COVID-19. Two new bills aim to accomplish that — one would mandate vaccination to attend school and the other would allow kids 12 and older to be vaccinated without parental consent. While both bills have attractive features, both also raise legal and ethical questions in trying to reach the goal of a close-to-fully-vaccinated population of young people. (1/26)

The Atlantic: The Case Against Masks At School 
In the panicked spring of 2020, as health officials scrambled to keep communities safe, they recommended various restrictions and interventions, sometimes in the absence of rigorous science supporting them. That was understandable at the time. Now, however, two years into this pandemic, keeping unproven measures in place is no longer justifiable. Although no district is likely to roll back COVID policies in the middle of the Omicron surge, at the top of the list of policies we should rethink once the wave recedes is mandatory masks for kids at school. (Margery Smelkinson, Leslie Bienen and Jeanne Noble, 1/26)

CNN: Parents' Fury Over School Closures Is Righteous, But Misdirected 
Infectious disease experts are starting to sound hopeful again, and the numbers of new Covid-19 infections are falling in places like New York City. But that doesn't change the fact that right now, pediatric cases and hospitalizations are at record levels, schools in some parts of the country are going remote (again) -- and American parents are at the end of our ropes. Indiana University sociologist Jessica Calarco, who surveys parents, says we're doing worse now than we were at the start of the pandemic. Seventy percent of mothers say they're overwhelmed, according to her research. So it's not surprising that the debate about who is responsible for this crisis is getting ugly. But two of the parties taking heat lately are the very last people we should be blaming: American women and Democrats. It's time we all instead turn our attention to those who are actually at fault: the people perpetuating vaccine misinformation and those who, long before the pandemic and continuing now, have failed to provide families with adequate support. (Kara Alaimo, 1/26)