How do we know a pandemic's over?

[dann]

It's that most wonderful time of the year ... every year ... and all year round:

Jammer on X, Sep 20, 2025
One is a news headline from tonight, the other is a photo taken 2 days ago.

Jammer on X, Sep 20, 2025
He will rest, get 10 days of Paxlovid and anything else he needs, people working in the bakery will work sick because they can’t afford time off and spread it to customers. Some won’t recover at all.

 

[dann]

USA - California:

Mike Hoerger on X, Sep 21, 2025
California COVlD Update, Sep 20, 2025
The CDC has California with "Very High" levels of COVlD statewide for the 3rd week in a row.
PMC estimates 1 in 25 actively infectious, barely down from last week's likely peak.
1/4

Mike Hoerger on X, Sep 21, 2025
SARS-CoV-2 transmission has been "High" or "Very High" in California since August 9, per CDC.
Keep in mind, the CDC recently modified its categories. "Moderate" is similar to what they used to call "High."
Essentially, the state has been in a wave since July 12.
2/4

 

[dann]

In posts 1,392, 1,395, 1,468 and 1,477, I posted about school attendance data. It seems to be pretty bad in both the UK and the USA.
I was wondering why I hadn't seen similar reports from Denmark, but today I saw this:
Familie måtte tage to sønner ud - nu råber tre organisationer op om stort problem i skolerne (DR.dk, Sep 21, 2025)

The article has a graph of school attendance 2015 to 2024.
In 2019-20 and 2020-21, 12 percent of students were absent more than 10% of the time.
In 2021-22, it rose to 26 percent!
In the winter of 2021-22, Denmark suspended all restrictions. The only measures against the virus were now the vaccines, which many kids never had!

This is an unmitigated disaster!
And the MSM almost never mention COVID-19 as a possible cause. It's still the cough that dare not speak its name!

Long thread:

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Children don’t just bounce back after COVID.
A Bavarian study shows deep neurocognitive and emotional impacts in kids & teens - fatigue, loss of motivation, attention problems, mood disorders.
What they found

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
85 children, ages 2-17 (avg 12.5, 61% girls). All had confirmed COVID and symptoms lasting ≥4 weeks.
They underwent multidisciplinary exams - psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, pulmonology, gastro + neuropsychological testing.

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Most common symptoms.
fatigue (82%)
loss of motivation (73%)
attention/concentration problems (72%)!
low mood (53%)
anxiety (32%)
post-exertional malaise (70%)!
Not just stress.

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Psychiatric findings.
83.5% had abnormal exams!
Most common diagnoses -
post-COVID adjustment disorder (39%)
post-COVID attention disorder (24%)
Over half required further psychiatric care!

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Neuropsychological testing.
Main deficit - sustained attention (slower, more errors).
Working memory mostly normal, but 12% below average.
Well match sub study (50 kids, ages 3-12) showed worse scores vs healthy controls in verbal-logical thinking, attention & working memory (Wechsler test).
The authors present it as part of their results to demonstrate that even when using a standardized intelligence test, significant cognitive deficits become apparent.

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Importantly - JAMA data show Long COVID affects even the youngest (ages 0–6).
They cannot describe brain fog or fatigue - but parents and teachers see it in sleep disruption, behavioral change, developmental delay.

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Multiple studies now confirm rising psychiatric and cognitive impacts in children after COVID.
This is not limited to vulnerable groups. The biological impact of infection on the developing brain is broad and systemic!

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Rates of psychiatric morbidity in post-COVID kids far exceed both the general population and the pandemic effect seen in COPSY data.
The infection itself is the driver - not just lockdowns or stress.

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Sum:
COVID-19 can cause serious, lasting neurocognitive and emotional harm in children, disrupting school, relationships, daily life.
We must recognize this reality and build multidisciplinary care around it. @szupraha @ZdravkoOnline

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Hauke-Gleisner at al. Neurocognitive and emotional long-term effects of COVID-19 infections in children and adolescents: results from a clinical survey in Bavaria, Germany.
Neurocognitive and emotional long-term effects of COVID-19 infections in children and adolescents: results from a clinical survey in Bavaria, Germany (BMC Infectious Diseases, Mar 26, 2025)

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Follow-up clarification.
The Bavarian study shows what children referred for post-COVID symptoms look like. But it’s a next clinical cohort - results cannot be generalized to the whole population. So these findings do not establish prevalence.

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Prevalence of pediatric LC remains uncertain - partly because there are still too few high-quality studies, and existing estimates vary widely (JAMA US vs European cohorts, different definitions, different methods).

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
But importantly - biological impacts of COVID in children are not simple on/off.
They exist on a spectrum, from mild transient changes to severe long-term dysfunction.

Zdenek Vrozina on X, Sep 22, 2025
Prevalence estimates of pediatric Long COVID differ, depending on study & def.
6.3% US kids ever diagnosed w/ PCC - higher than asthma 5.8%. JAMA Pediatr 2025
1.3% ever PCC, 0.4% current symptoms
JAMA Pediatr 2024
2-10% in European cohorts
BMJ 2022. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2022
So numbers vary - but the signal is clear - not rare, not fringe.

 

[dann]

The first tweet in another, even longer, thread:

Laura Miers on X, Sep 11, 2024
It wasn’t lockdowns in February 2024.
“Our findings reveal that a substantial proportion of pediatric COVID patients with neurological symptoms exhibit abnormal neuroimaging findings, with 43.74% of children in the included studies demonstrating such abnormalities.”
Abnormal Brain Scans in Children with COVID-19 Revealed in Data from 96 Studies (IFL Science, Feb 28, 2024)

 

[dann]

USA - Northeast:

Mike Hoerger on X, Sep 27, 2025
BREAKING: COVlD transmission surges across the Northeast amid 11th wave. CDC levels & PMC prevalence estimates:
CT: Very High (1 in 18 people actively infectious)
RI: High (1 in 33)
NY: High (1 in 35)
MA: High (1 in 37)
Quick thread 1/7

 

[dann]

New variant BA.3.2:

New Covid variant 'evades antibodies' and is 'potentially emerging' says World Health Organisation (DailyReocrd, Sep 29, 2025)
UK Health Security Agency has restated Covid advice including 'wearing masks' if you get it.
(...)
The UK Health Security Agency has stated that the two most prevalent current variants are the XFG and NB.1.8.1 - occasionally called the Stratus and Nimbus variants. Should the BA.3.2 variation, which remains unnamed, reach the UK, its recognised for its ability to evade antibodies and is consequently more hazardous for transmission amongst vaccinated populations.

I would recommend wearing masks to avoid getting it. Besides, you never know you got it until you get symptomatic, and at that point you have already been shedding the virus pre-symptomatically - and it may continue post-symptomatically as well:

What is viral shedding? (News-Medical, Mar 16, 2021)
When an individual gets infected by a respiratory virus like SARS-CoV-2, the virus particles will bind to the various types of viral receptors, particularly the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in the case of SARS-CoV-2, that line the respiratory tract.
Throughout this ongoing process, infected individuals, who may not yet be experiencing any of the viral symptoms, are shedding viral particles while they talk, exhale, eat, and perform other normal daily activities.

Types of data requested to inform December 2025 COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition deliberations (WHO, Sep 29, 2025)
The purpose of this statement is to guide the scientific community and vaccine manufacturers as to which data should be generated ahead of the December 2025 TAG-CO-VAC deliberations. It is an update to the previous statement on the types of data requested in March 2025.
(...)
At this stage, the key antisera and antigens of interest for the December 2025 decision-making meeting for demonstrating breadth include antisera to: XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, XEC, LP.8.1, NB.1.8.1, XFG and potentially emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, including BA.3.2.

 

[marting]

A colleague of mine got C19 in June at a meeting of 15 co-workers. She, along with 7 others came down with C19 shortly afterwards.

She went through 2 weeks of it before recovering. Unfortunately, 3 weeks after that she got long covid. Fatigue, brain fog, etc. Homebound and has gradually been getting better in the last few weeks but still is limited. Has elevated spike levels.

As an aside, USA CDC stats continue to show elevated excess deaths levels not from C19 directly, running about 7% above what is expected. Likely from various organs impacted from earlier infections.

 

[dann]

Mike Hoerger on X, Oct 2, 2025
A COVlD-19 pandemic memorial just opened a few miles from my house today.
Great sentiment. I also wish people realized we are still in a pandemic, people are still dying, and transmission remains high here today. You can't even get a booster here without a script.

COVID-19 memorial erected in Jefferson Parish honoring victims, survivors (WGNO/yahoo!news, Oct 2, 2025)
“This site represents the memory of loved ones lost, the strength of survivors and the courage of those still facing the impacts of this pandemic. Our COVID-19 memorial will forever stand as a symbol of strength and healing for our community,” said Councilman Byron L. Lee.

Memorials for the COVID-19 pandemic (Wikipedia)

 

[dann]

UK - school kids:

Steve B on X, Sep 30, 2025
I've written an open letter to the Education Secretary.
School attendance is often in the news. But politicians simply don't want to talk about illness, the biggest cause of absence for pupils & teachers. It's absurd.
"Please Can We Talk About Health?"

Dear Bridget Phillipson, Please Can We Talk About Health? (Life Through a Different Lens on WordPress, Sep 30, 2025)
We used to say “Every Child Matters”. That was, in fact, a Labour maxim and initiative.
Now it seems it’s just Every Attendance Mark that Matters.
Ill children and teachers go to school and more children and teachers go home ill.
Illness and harm have become an almost inevitable consequence of going to school.
It didn’t used to be like this.
Some illness? Yes, of course.
Occasional, more serious illness? Yes, sadly.
Repeated, persistent illness causing long term damage? No.

 

[dann]

UK - C19 vaccination:

Cat in the Hat on X, Oct 4, 2025
I have a question
JCVI’s statement on Covid vaccines states that they’ve used “an example price of £25 for the combined cost of vaccine & delivery”.
https://gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026
If it only costs the govt £25, why are pharmacies charging nearly £100 for a private Covid vaccine?

Cat in the Hat, Oct 4, 2025
You can get a private FLU jab for just £9.95 (if you have a Superdrug Heath&Beautycard).
That’s around a TENTH the price of a private COVID vaccine.
The cost of a private COVID vaccine is prohibitively high for many, so huge numbers will be unprotected going into this winter.

 

[Pixel42]

I had my (free) flu jab yesterday, and mentioned to the nurse that I was going to pay for a Covid one. (I'm 72, and no longer qualify for a free one). She asked me how much it was costing me, and seemed quite shocked when I said £92.50.

 

[dann]

It's stil the same in , free for 65+, but has also raised the age to 75+.

 

[dann]

Mike Hoerger on X, Oct 6, 2025
BREAKING: CDC signs off, anyone 6 months and older can get an updated booster without a prescription.Georgia, Louisiana, & Missouri pharmacy boards had blocked access, and nationwide many have faced coverage barriers. CVS Louisiana confirms, scripts no longer needed tomorrow!

Mike Hoerger on X, Oct 7, 2025
Walgreens confirms rollout without prescription starting tomorrow

 

[Pixel42]

Pharmacies facing angry patients over Covid jab confusion

Up to half of patients coming to some pharmacies are being turned away because they are not eligible.

www.bbc.co.uk

Pharmacists in England say they are facing "major issues" with large numbers of patients booking appointments for Covid jabs only to find they are no longer eligible.

The criteria have been tightened this year so that only those aged 75 and older are being offered free boosters, along with younger patients who have a weakened immune system.

Between a third and a half of people who turn up for their appointment are having to be turned away at many sites, according to Community Pharmacy England (CPE), which represents more than 10,000 chemists including many major chains.

It has described the situation as "unacceptable" with reports of angry, frustrated patients and abuse aimed at staff.

 

[dann]

And COVID-19 isn't all:

Quin-demic fear: As Covid surges, flu and RSV are also on the rise sparking warning NHS could be overwhelmed and operations cancelled (Daily Mail, Oct 4, 2025)
The UK could be hit by a 'quin-demic' of winter viruses – Covid, flu, RSV, rhinovirus and norovirus – putting extreme pressure on the NHS, experts warn.
(...)
Some high street chemists are offering private Covid jabs for up to £99.
Professor Young said: 'The risk is that without high uptake, we will see waves of both Covid and flu at the same time. That's when NHS comes under immense strain, operations are cancelled and waiting lists grow even longer.'

 

[dann]

UK:

Gina on X, Sep 7, 2025
The pandemic is over says the Mirror but also COVID is surging & dangerous.
We know the WHO only declared the global emergency over, not the pandemic, but the Mirror forgot to mention it.
Anyway whatever, wear a

Covid experts advise wearing masks again just three years after pandemic ended (Mirror, Oct y, 2025)

 

[dann]

San Diego County Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report, June 29, 2025–Sep 6, 2025 (SanDiegoCounty.gov, Sep 11, 2025
Covid-19: Cases 6,331; Deaths 26
Influenza: Cases 519; Deaths 0
RSV: Cases 46; Deaths 0

Notice that Cases has changed to Hospitalizations!

San Diego County Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report, June 29, 2025–Oct 4, 2025 (SanDiegoCounty.gov, Oct 9, 2025
Covid-19: Hospitalizations 1,530; Deaths 40
Influenza: Hospitalizations 78; Deaths 2
RSV: Hospitalizations 11; Deaths 0

 

[marting]

Notice that Cases has changed to Hospitalizations!

Good. About time.

Cases are now very underreported. Rapid tests done at home are not included in case counts and that's the majority. My colleague, who got C19 in June, did two home tests both strongly positive. She recovered at home then got long covid. Hospitalizations, outbreaks and deaths are likely more reliable indicators but only capture a fraction of the long term impact. It's only for acute disease, not those with subsequent disease that they can't ascribe directly to Covid.

 

[dann]

UK:

Face masks reintroduced at two hospitals (BBC, Oct 10, 2025)
Face masks have been reintroduced at two hospitals following an increase in patients with respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19.
Health bosses said the measure had been introduced at the emergency department at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the clinical decision unit at the Glenfield Hospital.
While they are not yet mandatory in all areas of the hospitals, masks will be provided in stations at the main entrances and in outpatient clinics.

Hand-washing is mentioned further down in the article, but face masks in the headline and Covid-19 specifically in the first line!
Progress.

 

[dann]

UK:
Students are not the only ones who are being told to go to school sick.

Dame Sa, Oct 14, 2025
Due to so much illness in schools, teachers are being told that they’re not allowed to be off sick if they don’t feel well…
Rather than schools doing something to prevent illness (clean air anyone?) heads are just threatening staff now.
I don’t even have the words anymore…

Dame Sa, Oct 14, 2025
If you’re a teacher who’s scared to call in sick, please note the following.
The Department for Education got brand new, enhanced air handling systems at its HQ last year.
Yet it still refuses to implement clean air policies in schools…
Angry yet? You should be!

So the Department of Education is entitled to have #DavosStandard, but schools aren't.
Minimizing COVID-19 (in children, in particular) goes hand in hand with having the economy as one's main concern. See also post 565.
It's the L'Oréal approach to the pandemic: Some people are worth it. Ordinary people and their children aren't.