Minneapolis and St. Paul are imposing more COVID-19 restrictions on residents. Now, 22 months into the pandemic, the question must be asked: How much longer are we going to accept unilateral orders that do not follow science, data, or the 22 months of evidence we have seen during the pandemic?
The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul have announced they would impose more “temporary” restrictions. Both cities will require proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter restaurants or sports arenas. That includes unvaccinated children down to the age of 5. Children between the ages of 2 and 5 in Minneapolis not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine will also be forced to provide a negative test.
As you can expect, these measures are designed to combat irrational fear of the virus — not the virus itself. The policies don’t even go into place until Jan. 19 because apparently, the omicron variant is willing to give them a head start. The policies won’t even extend to ticketed events until Jan. 26. Children are included, even though there has been no indication COVID-19 is causing child hospitalizations to rise (note that child hospitalizations normally rise around this time of year).
These measures will do little, if anything, to slow the spread of the omicron variant, which we know is more transmissible and less lethal than previous variants. Vaccinated people can contract and spread the virus, and people providing a negative test within 72 hours to go to restaurants or sporting events can contract COVID-19 after testing.
So, in short, this is a half-measure. It won’t protect anyone, but it is designed to avoid unpopular total lockdowns while appearing as if something is being done.
The best way to slow hospitalizations and prevent deaths is by urging vulnerable people to get vaccinated. Everything else is for show. By all indications, COVID-19 will be an endemic virus. The cycle of “temporary” lockdowns and restrictions has not worked for 22 months, and it will not suddenly prove more effective or change the course of the pandemic.
