I wonder about the Omicron variant.  It may be more contagious and more mild than the Delta variant.  Could the Omicron variant be God's way of bringing the pandemic to an end?  We're fortunate in the United States to have access to vaccines and great health care.  Other parts of the world have neither.  People could experience a "common cold" with Omicron and develop immunity against the more serious variants.  The "common cold" is caused by a variety of viruses including the rhinovirus and coronavirus types.  COVID-19 is a coronavirus with many variants including 13 interesting ones.  The latest, the Omicron variant, has now been detected in New Jersey.

     When I look at OCHD.org and COVIDActNow.org, I see that new cases are going up rather quickly in Ocean County and New Jersey.  Yet, hospitalizations are much less than they were last year.  When you compare the numbers of new cases and hospitalizations in New Jersey for 12/2/2020 and 12/2/2021, you'll see that we have 68% as many new cases this year and 33% as many hospitalizations.

     Now, there are plenty of factors to consider.  Yet, it seems to me that we're slowly approaching normal.  We're getting better at treating COVID-19.  And the vaccinations have helped reduce new cases and the severity of new cases.

     Manchester schools were closed today.  You can read about it here.  They'll be back open on Monday.

     Let's pray for one another's intentions.

1)  For an end to the pandemic according to God's plan and timing.

2)  For greater safety, truthfulness, and respect in our schools and for those individuals who spread false rumors.

3)  For our health care workers who are helping us with the new increase in COVID-19 cases.

4)  For our Supreme Court justices who today discussed the Dobbs case.

5)  For our parish as we prepare for the coming of the Lord.

God love you,

Fr. Jim