Viral mutations trend toward reduced risk to carriers as a means to being more sustainably transmissible. Like other biological entities, viruses evolve to sur

Viral mutations trend toward reduced risk to carriers as a means to being more sustainably transmissible. Like other biological entities, viruses evolve to survive and replicate more efficiently. If the hosts die off, survival and replication is stunted. We’re not out of the woods yet w/r/t dangerous variants, but health risks will likely wane over time, and we’re obviously well past the point of meaningfully controlling transmission. We will absolutely experience seasonal waves and variance similar to the cold. All of that said, we need to do some realistic cost benefit analysis at this point. We have a new cold-like virus on the planet, and we’re implementing new ways to protect ourselves and treat it (if we’re smart). At this point, are the mental health and quality of life sacrifices we’re making worth it in the face of an inevitable endemic?