It seems America has entered a new era of optimism, or what some might call blissful ignorance. According to a recent survey, half of Americans believe they’re done with COVID-19 for good. Done. Over it. As if the virus has packed its bags and left the country. Republicans and Democrats alike seem equally confident that they’ve ghosted the virus, although Democrats are apparently a little more likely to take precautions to try and stay safe. Meanwhile, somewhere between 600 and 900 people are still dying each week from COVID, but why let that spoil the fun? After all, car crashes are killing around 850 people per week, so we have that to distract us from the whole pandemic thing. Think of it this way: COVID and car crashes are neck and neck in a race for your attention, and if you’re lucky, they’ll both pass you by. Just don’t text while driving. Or breathe in large indoor public gatherings with bad ventilation.
Half of America Thinks They’re Invincible—But COVID-19 and Brain Fog Might Have Other Plans
While some are busy pretending we’re in a post-COVID golden age of invincibility, a New England Journal of Medicine study quietly suggests that COVID might be doing something sinister: making us dumber. Not only can COVID take your sense of smell, but it might knock a couple of IQ points off, too. So, if you’ve forgotten how to spell ‘pandemic’ or why you remain an undecided voter, congrats—you’re part of the ‘brain fog’ club.
The good news? If you can’t remember what you were doing, you also won’t remember that you were supposed to be doing it. Who needs productivity when you’ve got confusion on your side?
So, as we collectively forget to care, let’s take a moment to appreciate that while COVID may affect our brains, our ability to minimize a global pandemic remains as sharp as ever.
