'It is a challenging period’: Newsom says many are ‘likely’ to be infected with omicron variant
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday the latest phase of the pandemic is a “challenging” one for many Californians who hoped we would not be facing such a surge in cases with the omicron variant. He said the state was preparing for “the endemic” phase and how to “live with future variants.”
The governor spoke during a visit to a COVID-19 testing site in south Los Angeles where he highlighted a proposal to spend $2.7 billion on efforts related to vaccines, boosters, COVID-19 testing and “increased medical personnel.”
PREPARING FOR ENDEMIC PHASE
Newsom said that although the omicron variant may give some less severe symptoms, it’s still putting a strain on hospitals.
“We all know two things. One is that it is easily transmitted, but we also know that it is less severe than previous variants,” he said. “That said, the total number in the aggregate puts enormous pressure ultimately on our health care system, and that is demonstrated and demonstrable across this country, and not least of which here in California.”
Newsom also said that many are “likely” to be infected with the omicron variant, so the state is working on how to move forward with new variants.
“We are doing exactly what Dr. [Ezekiel] Emanuel and others have suggested federally needs to be done, and that is preparing not for the pandemic phase of this reality, but the endemic phase of this reality and how we live with future variants,” he said.
Emanuel, an oncologist and former adviser to President Joe Biden on COVID-19 issues during the transition, recently called for a new strategy to confront the pandemic.
Newsom added that some parts of the country have seen cases begin to wane, but also acknowledged pandemic fatigue.
“We're just exhausted emotionally, physically. Every single one of you are exhausted by this. And all I have to say is, we're going to get through this. Just a few more weeks,” Newsom said.
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DR. GHALY ADDRESSES HERD IMMUNITY
Meanwhile, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said that herd immunity may be difficult to reach when new variants surface.
“The concept of herd immunity is one that frankly escapes us right now, but we are working hard to make sure that we get it, get people vaccinated as much as we can,” Ghaly said.
He said the state is still making progress on vaccinations. Last week, there were 20% more people who received their first doses than the week before.
“So this notion that the people who aren't getting vaccinated are just never going to get vaccinated is a false narrative. People are. It's small numbers. It's really hard work. People are fighting the misinformation, but it still happens today,” he said.
COVID-19 RESPONSE IN SCHOOLS
Newsom said confronting the challenge at schools was another priority. The state was able to provide 10.9 million tests in the last 30 days to California public schools, but had to compete against the federal government for those tests, he said.
“That's not the way things should be this far into the pandemic. I'm not suggesting otherwise. But I am suggesting we are able to punch above our weight because we're California,” he said.
Nine million N95 masks were sent to public schools over the last few weeks, as the priority is to keep in-person instruction safely in school.
"The most important thing is getting this pandemic behind us once and for all,” Newsom said.