BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC ISN’T OVER

Health authorities say the Omicron wave of COVID-19 infections may have crested. But individual Americans and local, state and federal governments should not let down their guards. The feds report only 63.3 percent of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated, and 39.5 percent of that group have received booster shots. Three studies released Friday make a powerful case for getting boosted: The third shot makes it extremely unlikely those with a breakthrough infection will require hospitalization.

Ominously, one of the studies, by the Journal of the American Medical Association, found those with two shots had no “significant protection” from Omicron. Given the reports that Omicron is significantly less dangerous than the previous Delta variant and doesn’t appear to affect the lungs, some people may continue to ignore recommendations they get a third shot. But they may regret that for the rest of their lives. An analysis this week in The New York Times said researchers who had reviewed the records of hundreds of thousands of people who had been infected said it was far from clear whether those with mild symptoms were less likely to later be haunted by “long COVID” and suffer from brain fog, joint pain, fatigue and shortness of breath.

This shouldn’t be a risk that Americans are willing to take. Even those without symptoms can infect other, more vulnerable people. Between the Biden administration’s plan to send four high-quality masks to every household and the availability of U.S. government-certified N95 masks for under $3 each online, it is going to be easier than ever to protect yourself and others. The news may be promising, but the need remains for us all to take precautions.