Using   Worldometer   data, the USA had 66,046 new cases during the past week.  This was 55% the World total of 119,320 cases.  This past week, however, saw a 48% drop in the U.S. from the previous full week. That 55% rate is far too high, as many countries, such as Japan and South Korea, don't report anymore, and I know from  other sources  that South Korea at more than 10,000 or so cases/week. South Korea began to have covid outbreaks after most of its citizens were vaccinated.  Thus, their overall mortality rate is  only 0.1%.  Today it is still at 0.1%, twice that of the seasonal flu at  0.05%.  The USA overall is now at 1%.  However, in recent weeks, the mortality rate has dropped to 0.2%, or four times the flu mortality rate. The USA during the 2021-2022 flu season had 9 million cases, or divided by 365 meant 25,000 flu cases/day.  Of course most people got sick during the colder months.  So let's double that to 50,000 cases/day.  We are beginning to enter the 2023-2024 f

The pandemic is over, and because of vaccinations, the mortality rate for COVID-19 is approaching that of the seasonal flu.  The World weekly  case count dropped 25% this past week .  Then again, some countries are faring better than others.  For example, regarding the weekly case % change over the past week: #1    Costa Rica  +92,800% #2    Guinea Bissau  +26,400% #3    Estonia  +23,900% #14  Canada  +534% #25  Brazil  +73% #30  Thailand  +39% #36  South Korea +14% #44  Denmark  +2% #45  Mexico  -2% #70  Germany  -30% #89  USA  -55% Deaths in the past week per million population. #1    New Zealand  11 #2    Denmark  8 #3    Hong Kong  4 #4    Germany  4 #14  Canada  1 #17  S. Korea  1 #25  USA  0.7 Okay, but what about China ?  Still, pretty much careful about sharing any data.  However, as of 11 May 2023: On May 3, the U.S. Department of Transportation increased the number of round-trip Chinese airlines flights from 8 to 12 per week. Domestic travel during China's Labor Day Holid

   We have suffered  five COVID-19 waves .  Will there be a 6th? Initially, cases were dominated by large cities, which are mostly Democratic.  Thus, the first wave experience a lot fewer Republican deaths.  Later waves gravitated towards fewer Democratic deaths. A higher percentage of Biden-voters get vaccinated.   Over 91% of Democrats have had at least one shot, and only 60% of Republicans . The primary reason is  vaccination , as per million population, 250 deaths occurred in Trump counties, compared to 78 in Biden counties. About that possible 6th wave?  Most likely, when the Omicron Stealth B2 subvariant creates a mild bump in April.  Then, WHO can pretty much declare the end of this pandemic.  But I've now said this at least three times. Incidentally, just about 25% of Americans have been infected with COVID-19.  World?  Only 6%.   Of course, this is where asymptomaticity and under reporting come into play.  If it turns out that the asymptomatic rate is 50%, then 50% of Amer