Facing the New Covid-19 Reality

This Perspective reflects on the evolving impact of Covid-19 and advocates for nuanced public health strategies beyond the emergency phase. While many perceive the pandemic as over, SARS-CoV-2 continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations. The authors emphasize the limitations of traditional metrics like case counts and hospitalization rates, proposing alternative measures such as sentinel testing and vaccine coverage tracking. They call for tailored health interventions informed by equity and community trust, acknowledging the social, economic, and psychological fallout of earlier mitigation strategies. Effective communication, local engagement, and sustained federal support are presented as essential to navigating this complex phase.

This Perspective reflects on the evolving impact of Covid-19 and advocates for nuanced public health strategies beyond the emergency phase. While many perceive the pandemic as over, SARS-CoV-2 continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations. The authors emphasize the limitations of traditional metrics like case counts and hospitalization rates, proposing alternative measures such as sentinel testing and vaccine coverage tracking. They call for tailored health interventions informed by equity and community trust, acknowledging the social, economic, and psychological fallout of earlier mitigation strategies. Effective communication, local engagement, and sustained federal support are presented as essential to navigating this complex phase.