Summary
Experts warn of a potential “silent” COVID surge in the U.S. during the holidays, driven by rising infections and low awareness following an unusually quiet fall.
Wastewater data from the CDC shows sharp increases in 21 states, with transmission fueled by mild or undetected cases at gatherings and travel.
Dominant variants, like XEC and KP.3.1.1, are highly transmissible but milder, though severe illness remains a risk for vulnerable groups.
Vaccination rates for the updated booster are low, with only 21% of adults immunized.
There is a certain overlap between people opposed to vaccinations and people who prefer the “everyone of the family under the Christmas tree” tradition.
If it is not COVID, then it is the common flu, or, if they are fancy and modern, H5N1.
The “Natural Selection” Venn diagram
