COVID is very far from being over: A May 11 declaration from the …

The pandemic of sensationalism, conspiracy theories, and misinformation accompanying COVID-19 and its vaccines has been spreading like wildfire. “Digital mis-infodemic” in the last three years has compounded fear, anxiety, and skepticism about the pandemic, which in turn has contributed to the flawed treatment (e.g., Remdesivir), noncompliance of COVID-19 guidelines (e.g., not being fully vaccinated, not wearing masks and/or wearing masks inappropriately, not practicing social distancing), and prejudice (e.g., a rise in violent attacks against the Asian-American community).

Moreover, coronavirus-related morbidities and mortalities are exacerbated by the pandemic of misinformation. According to Kaiser’s Health System Tracker, COVID-19 vaccines are estimated to prevent about 60% of all adult COVID-19 deaths. A COVID-19 prediction model on the effectiveness of masks and face-covering showed that if 95% of people in the U.S. wore masks appropriately while in public, 58% of COVID-19-related deaths could be prevented. Although one aspect of misinformation consists of spreading malicious and false content about a matter, another aspect also consists of inaction to address it.

As vaccines became available in December 2020, health care workers tackled the responsibility of debunking pandemic-related misconceptions and misinformation. However, when health care workers who are undertaking such responsibility are not supported by political figures — who heavily influence people’s perceptions and behaviors — then the correct messaging lands within the exhaustive cloud of COVID-related information.

During an interview with “60 Minutes,” President Biden stated that the pandemic was “over,” a premature declaration given the lack of preparation we have dedicated to rebuilding, funding, and supporting the public health infrastructure. Biden’s declaration was also followed by the cutting of additional funding for COVID-19 programs that serve to remove barriers to COVID-19 care, especially among historically excluded and underserved communities. The effects of decreasing COVID funding have already been felt in some communities. Nonprofit community health clinics, which serve the majority of uninsured patients, have stopped providing COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

More concerning is the recent unwinding of Medicaid. The coronavirus relief package passed in 2020 allowed for millions to retain their health care coverage during the pandemic, which resulted in a record low uninsured rate. However, Medicaid’s continuous enrollment provision ends, and an estimated 15 million people will be left without health insurance. As public health practitioners, this becomes alarming given that 16 million working-age Americans have long COVID and about 4 million of them are out of work because of it. People who will be uninsured will have the choice to stay uninsured or browse the health care marketplace, which for many is still not an affordable option.

One important aspect of this conversation is the disproportional effect on historically marginalized communities. COVID-19 cases have decreased, but that has not been the case for all people. Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities experience significantly higher COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Historically underserved/excluded populations are also more vulnerable to morbidities that are associated with a high risk of COVID-19 severity, owing to structural inequities such as housing segregation, employment discrimination, financial and housing instability, lack of health care coverage and access, and systemic racism.

Trust in the health care community has been weakened by the historical events of abuse inflicted on marginalized communities. When public health officials and lawmakers fail to prioritize underserved communities, these populations will turn away.

Although the pattern of cutting public health funding and disinvesting in health care are not new, it’s shameful to continue repeating patterns that jeopardize people’s lives. Cutting COVID-19 federal funding and support in the middle of a global health crisis, an action fueled by the misconception that the “pandemic is over,” will set back any commitments and efforts we have made towards health equity.

The idea that the COVID-19 pandemic is “over” is a dangerous thought rooted in misinformation. At the time of this writing, the 7-day moving average of daily new cases in the U.S. is more than 139,000, and the number of deaths related to COVID-19 sits at 341 per 100,000 lives, the highest compared to other wealthy nations across the world.

To declare the end of the pandemic, we must witness low cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in a consistent manner, both locally and globally. Until then, we must continue enforcing public health measures. Unfortunately, procrastinating on such actions reflects a lack of political and moral will to value human lives.

Memaj is a public health educator and researcher at CUNY School of Public Health. Oden is a psychiatrist and adjunct clinical professor at Morehouse School of Medicine.