The dark days of COVID winter are here

It would seem hard to imagine that a worsening pandemic that has set a new daily mark for deadliness could somehow get lost in the shuffle. But that’s the situation we find ourselves in now. With history unfolding daily in Washington, D.C., the continuing devastation wrought by the novel coronavirus continues to worsen by the day.

The death toll passed 4,000 nationwide Thursday, the first time we’ve hit that mark in a day. The positivity rate in Connecticut continues to climb, and Gov. Ned Lamont recently announced the discovery in the state of two cases of a genetic variant of the virus that has raised alarm worldwide. It’s believed to be more easily transferable than the original virus, though the vaccines currently available appear to be just as effective against it.

As for those vaccines, their quick production marked a triumph of science and public policy, but their distribution is not too early to be called a failure. Though Connecticut has done better than most states, a near-complete lack of coordination at the federal level has left the pace of vaccinations at an agonizingly slow pace. States and health districts have little or no direction on how to proceed, which has led to the unfathomable outcome of doses going bad on the shelves because they can’t be given out fast enough.

This is dereliction at the highest level. Producing a vaccine is nothing if there is no plan to distribute it. It’s yet another indication that leadership at all levels of government matters in our everyday lives, and we are playing a lethal game to pretend otherwise.

At the same time the virus is wreaking its toll, the economy reported more grim news. The nation lost jobs in December for the first time in eight months, with bars and restaurants seeing the most serious setbacks. It’s no surprise, since the spread of the virus makes dining and drinking out dangerous activities, and outdoor customers are out of the question in much of the country this time of year. But it’s another indication of how deep a hole we are in.

The state legislative session has just begun, and the drama in Washington is unceasing. Even if matters calm a bit after Inauguration Day (which is no sure thing), there will be difficult political hurdles to clear on any sort of aid package to businesses and individuals in need.

But it’s never been more necessary. Until the vaccine situation can be straightened out, we are not safe from the spread of COVID-19. People need to maintain social distance whenever possible, and wear masks any time they are around people outside their households. Everyone is eager to see schools reopen, but caution must be exercised. There is still much we don’t know about the way children spread the virus.

This is the winter we all feared. The worst days of COVID may still be ahead of us. There is no time to lose focus, even as events elsewhere increasingly spiral out of control.

Though Connecticut as done better than most states, a near-complete lack of coordination at the federal level has left the pace of vaccinations at an agonizingly slow pace.