Is the pandemic really over?

Determining whether the pandemic is over can be contentious and depends on various perspectives.

1. Ben Shapiro's Perspective: On The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben Shapiro argues that the pandemic is over in terms of government emergency powers. He believes the focus should now be on protecting the vulnerable while normalizing life for everyone else. He criticizes Democrats for not declaring the pandemic over, suggesting it's due to their vested interests in maintaining control 1 2.

2. Ezra Klein's View: On The Ezra Klein Show, Klein notes that while the death rate in the US has returned to pre-pandemic levels, there's a concern about not acknowledging the full impact, such as over a million deaths. He suggests that the country's handling and narratives around the pandemic remain complex and politicized 3.

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     1

     The Pandemic's End

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     2

     Pandemic Perception Divide

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     3

     Pandemic Reflection

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     4

     Pandemic to Endemic

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     5

     Pandemic Insights

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3. Molly Wood's Summary: On This Week in Startups, Molly Wood states that the pandemic has transitioned to an endemic phase in the US. She points out that societal behaviors, like not wearing masks, reflect this shift, although policies in places like China may differ 4.

4. Nicholas Christakis' Insights: On Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris, Nicholas Christakis discussed the notion of herd immunity and vaccination as critical to declaring the pandemic over. He highlighted the continued spread of the virus and the importance of vaccination to reach herd immunity 5.

Overall, while some experts like Shapiro view the pandemic as practically over, others like Klein and Christakis emphasize ongoing complexities and the importance of continued vigilance and vaccination efforts. Wood reflects a middle ground, suggesting an endemic status in the US.