As the United States surpasses 800,000 deaths resulting from COVID-19, concerns are mounting about a winter surge and the spread of the Omicron variant. Although consumers are purchasing plenty of products, those parts of the economy that require human interaction—attending events, going to restaurants and public places, participating in other arts and entertainment—are lagging. Amid concerns about rising inflation and flagging consumer confidence, stopping the spread of COVID-19 is crucial for economic stability and bringing back jobs that have been lost to the pandemic. With booster shots now recommended for all eligible adults to increase immunity, policymakers and employers need to redouble efforts and use all tools available to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support economic recovery.
The above excerpt was originally published in Newsweek.
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