Just when we thought that we were out of the woods, here comes Omicron! Even though we have little real-world data about this new strain, and even though most people infected with it had only mild symptoms, governments around the world are already instilling fears into people. Is Christmas and New Year going to be ruined again this year? No one knows. But new restrictions have already been implemented by many countries.
Viral mutation is a fact of life; this most experts agree. So why such a big fuss about Omicron? I am not quite sure. Whatever happened to the other strains like Mu, Lambda, Iota, Eta, etc. They seemed to have come and gone from the media’s attention. Are they still around? Yes. Will they have another come-back? Probably not. The media need new strains from time to time in order to keep our attention and maybe to justify the restrictions.
I feel compelled to reiterate one of the views I had expressed in the past. Namely, is there truly no early treatment for people who contracted COVID-19 with mild symptoms, except self-isolation? Are pharmaceutical drugs the only routes to go? I believe that medical systems that focus on “treating the patient” instead of “killing the virus” have much to offer to early stage COVID-19 patients. Medical systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda Medicine, Homeopathic Medicine, Naturopathic Medicine, etc. have largely been ignored by most authorities. By correcting the body’s deranged reactions/systems and supporting the innate immune function, that’s how these medical treatments may be able to get patients on the path of recovery earlier, prevent hospitalization, and reduce mortality. These time-tested medical systems have battled against viral infections for hundreds of years and have accumulated much experiences and insights, yet they are under-deployed and under-appreciated. There are also research on cost-effective and safe nutrients and natural substances that show promise in reducing COVID-19 death and hospitalization rates. Yet, these research have gotten little to no attention from the media. I wonder where is the common sense in that?
Up the sleeves keep rolling and the eligible
age keeps dropping.
Still, total case count rises and quarantine
is necessary.
Naturally variants keep emerging and
restrictions keep changing.
Still, people live in fears and food
prices escalate.
Despair not, PCRs are reassuring and
mandates are protecting.
Still, the compromised might pass and
the healthy may live.
Despair not, science is absolute and
mRNAs are here to stay.
Still, common sense keeps on eroding and
experts keep on justifying.
Despair not, newer vaccines are coming and
all shall be receiving.
Despair not. Despair not. Despair not.
Have a Merry X’mas and a Happy New Year! Let’s hope 2022 will be a more normal year.
Martin Kwok, ND. DrTCM
Editor-in-Chief
