In this Star Tribune editorial OpEd, the board writes that though face masks, once part of outdoor wear, and social distancing are slowly disappearing, the Covid-19 is still around. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 400 daily reported cases of Covid-19.

“Cases, while down dramatically from the omicron variant-fueled spike earlier this year, have nevertheless remained at a higher level this summer compared with 2020 and 2021. Infectious-disease expert Michael Osterholm is among those calling attention to this, dubbing it ‘COVID’s high plateau‘,” the editorial writes.

The editorial provides the following check list to their yearly shopping ritual:

• “Are family members fully vaccinated and boosted? The CDC “recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older and boosters for everyone 5 years and older.” Regrettably, too many people haven’t gotten the shots or need a booster. Just 32% of Minnesota’s population is considered “up to date” on COVID vaccines, meaning that they’ve received all doses for which they’re eligible.
• “Have households stocked up on free at-home COVID tests? Federal and state governments continue to offer no-cost COVID tests shipped to your home. There are limits on how many a single household can get, but it’s worth checking to see if you’re eligible for another round of free tests. During a surge, the tests can be hard to find at retailers. For more information about the free federal tests, go to special.usps.com/testkits. To learn more about the free state tests, go to mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/at-home/index.jsp or call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 1-833-431-2053.
• “Do you know what to do if you or someone in your family becomes ill with COVID? Paxlovid and other treatments can significantly reduce the risk of severe illness. Timing is important. Paxlovid, for example, should be started within five days of symptom onset. While regular medical providers and clinics can help patients access treatments, the state has five community testing sites offering on-the-spot Paxlovid prescriptions for those eligible — at Brooklyn Park, Duluth, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Moorhead and St. Paul-Midway. For more information, go to mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/testing-locations/community-testing.jsp

The editorial concludes with this advisement “Living with the virus shouldn’t equate to complacency. It’s best to take action now to protect families and communities if this “high plateau” becomes yet another fall-winter spike.”