Fauci says it's time to slowly return to normal life

Fauci says it's time to return to normal life slowly

The top US infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said Wednesday that it is time for the United States to begin slowly returning to everyday life, despite the remaining risks from COVID-19.

Fauci said that the United States faces difficult choices in its efforts to balance the need to protect its citizens from growing fatigue from a pandemic entering its third year.

Earlier Wednesday, US health officials said they are preparing new COVID-19 guidance on many aspects of the response to the virus as Omicron's increase in cases declines.

In the coming weeks, it followed announcements from several states, including New Jersey, New York, California, Connecticut, Delaware, and Oregon, to lift mask mandates for schools or other public places.

 The world and the United States and especially certain parts of the United States just got here with COVID - they need to get their lives back in some way," he said.

"You don't want to be reckless and throw everything aside, but you have to start slowly moving towards it."

Even with the positive trends, the COVID numbers remain high, with about 2,200 Americans dying each day, most of whom are not immune.

According to government data, the current seven-day daily average of COVID-19 cases is about 147,000, down about 40% from the previous week. During the same period, hospitalizations decreased by about 28% to 9,500 per day.

Fauci acknowledged that revised policies for states could involve trade-offs and some unnecessary losses, but that excessive adherence to strict prevention policies was also detrimental.

"Is the effect on mental health, is the effect on children's development, is the effect on schools - is this balanced against trying to be completely authentic and protect them from infection? I don't have the right answer to that," he said.