Alright, fellow punks and pragmatists, the CDC is back with its latest mosh-pit predictions for the COVID-19 season, and it’s looking like we might get a reprieve from the chaos of previous years. The hospitalization rate is projected to be on par with—or even lower than—last year’s respiratory smackdown. Of course, it all depends on whether the summer wave of COVID decides to pull a classic encore or gracefully bow out before October.
Here’s the breakdown:
• If the summer wave doesn’t peak by October: Expect a gnarly December surge.
• If it peaks early: There could be a smaller, less epic (but still inconvenient) wave hitting mid-January.
The CDC’s predictions are based on last year’s vaccine stats and the never-ending remix of new COVID variants.
Michigan’s Summer Showdown
Over in the Great Lakes State, COVID cases hit their crescendo in late August, with a high note of 4,700 reported cases per week. Thankfully, Michigan has dialed it back—cases dropped to 3,238 per week by the end of September. The CDC confirms that Michigan’s COVID numbers are on a downward trend, giving us all a breather (literally).
Free COVID-19 Tests: Because Punk Rock Is Also About Safety
Starting Sept. 26, you can snag up to four free rapid-antigen tests from COVIDTests.gov. These bad boys can detect current variants, so no excuses for not knowing your status.
Know the Symptoms: Don’t Be the Guy Who Shows Up Sick to the Gig
COVID-19 symptoms usually appear 2–14 days after exposure and range from “meh” to “holy crap.” Current variant symptoms include:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Loss of taste or smell (classic!)
• Fatigue, body aches, or headaches
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
If you’re over 65, unvaccinated, or dealing with health issues like heart disease or a weakened immune system, take extra care. And if you’ve got trouble breathing, chest pain, or a serious case of brain fog, seek emergency help faster than a punk song hits its bridge.
Treatment Options: Fight COVID Like a Rockstar
The FDA-approved antiviral lineup includes:
• Remdesivir (Veklury): A healthcare setting IV treatment.
• Paxlovid: Oral medication for ages 12 and up.
• Molnupiravir (Lagevrio): Oral treatment for adults only.
Hit up your doctor within five to seven days of getting sick to start treatment.
The COVID Vaccine Remix: Your Ticket to Protection
New vaccines are out, and they’re better than ever. Here’s the tracklist:
• Pfizer-BioNTech & Moderna: Protection against Omicron KP.2.
• Novavax: Targeting Omicron JN.1.
The CDC says everyone 6 months and older should roll up their sleeves for the updated vaccine by the end of October. Bonus points if you got the 2023-2024 vaccine—it upped protection against illness and hospitalization.
How to Score the Vaccine
Vaccines are administered at retail pharmacies, including Walgreens, Walmart and CVS, clinics and other locations, such as doctor’s offices. Use the federal government’s website Vaccines.gov to search for vaccination sites by ZIP code. Get the same information by texting your ZIP code to 438829 or by calling 800-232-0233. You can check with your primary care physician’s office to see if COVID-19 vaccinations are offered. If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers COVID-19 vaccinations at VA facilities. Sign up online or call 800-827-1000 to make an appointment. Got an underlying condition? Check with your doc before jumping into the vaccine mosh pit.
Stay safe, stay smart, and keep rocking responsibly. The show must go on, but let’s not make it a COVID super-spreader event.
