The last 2 years have been a rollercoaster the world round. Covid came from nowhere and flipped everything on it’s head. So many plans and dreams squashed and sidelined. Much heart break, devastation and loss.

On a personal level, it has been an immensely challenging time to work in healthcare. Covid has added layers of complexity to everything. I’ve taken a philosophy of “roll with the punches” and do what surgery the category restrictions have allowed us to do. By and large, people are understanding of the situation and are accepting of the fact that non urgent surgeries need to wait till some of the strain has come off our healthcare system.

From that perspective it’s been frustrating. Those of us that have worked in public health systems, know that waiting lists have always been an issue. Not enough specialists, operating time, and even consulting space for outpatients. It’s been like that for as long as I can remember. Populations have grown but the health resources have remained stagnant rather than matching the growth and the need.

We are now in a very different space compared to early 2020 when covid emerged in Australia. We are now one of the most highly vaccinated countries in the world. We have a well educated population that understand risks of covid as well as vulnerability. It’s critical that 60+ and vulnerable get their third dose to make sure they are adequately protected. We know that covid can’t be eradicated or eliminated. And we know that life has to move on for the benefit of the children. Most of us have accepted that we must live with covid, and more importantly that we “can” live with covid.

Though Omicron has created it’s own havoc due to sheer weight of numbers and susceptibility of elderly despite double dose vaccination, by and large we are seeing mild disease in the vast majority of individuals. The same groups that need to exhibit caution with influenza need to take care with covid. How do they do that? Firstly, have the full course of vaccination which is 3 doses. Second, avoid situations that pose high risk- indoor, poorly ventilated. Third, use high quality masks in those situations that can’t be avoided. Beyond that, there’s not much more that can be done, and we can’t keep locking down entire cities. The younger generation has paid a high price and it’s now time that they be allowed to live their lives fully and freely.

We’re starting to see the hospitalisation numbers fall and the same for ICU and ventilated rates on the eastern seaboard of Australia. Sadly we are still seeing many deaths. This will stabilise too. It’s too difficult to discuss acceptable numbers of death from covid without sounding callous. Conversations around death are important and we need to keep perspective. Though sad and sometimes even tragic, death is part of life. Whilst common sense precautions must be taken, we can’t stop living for fear of death.

Once we are on the other side of Omicron, there will be enhanced immunity immunity through a combination of vaccination and acquired infection. Will Covid be gone? No. Covid will shift into a new phase, called endemic. Still present, still circulating, causing infections in the same way as colds and flus, but with nowhere near the devastation as previous waves. I am genuinely optimistic. New variants will come, but they are likely to be less virulent (weaker). Annual covid boosters will likely be needed for the foreseeable future. It maybe a combined influenza + covid jab.

2022 is likely to see normality returning with some bumps and challenges along the way. Some of the current mitigations and restrictions will fall away, such as QR code check ins and even RAT testing for schools. Masks will become optional and people with vulnerability should wear good quality ones to protect themselves.

As we move into the endemic phase, let us be sure to take some of the positives out of the pandemic too. Patience, kindness and compassion. Importance of friends, family and socialisation. Finding joy and love in the simple acts of daily living…