Timing the Transition of Covid-19 to a Common Cold

In the heart of early September 2025, the world continues to grapple with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, a battle that has been waged for over four years. Yet, the headlines seem less alarming than they once were, and this is a sentiment echoed in the author's personal experience.

The author's father recently tested positive for Covid-19, marking six days of isolation for him in his room. The author's day-to-day life, however, has not been significantly altered. This might not be representative of everyone's experience with the virus, but it does highlight a growing sense of normalcy.

Montana, the author's home state, continues to report new Covid-19 cases, albeit in the low hundreds nationally each week. The exact numbers for Montana are not explicitly detailed, but the United States overall is still reporting cases. About 28 states, including Montana, still report Covid-19 cases following the emergency phase, with an estimated 200,000 deaths annually in the U.S. from Covid-19.

The author's father's diagnosis has not led to a major outbreak in their immediate circle, and the author themselves did not contract the virus. This could be a sign of the changing landscape of the pandemic, with the potential for a shift in response to Covid-19 towards something less severe than the current isolation protocol.

The author questions when Covid-19 will transition from being a pandemic-level disease to just another cough, following a pattern similar to other major global issues. Humans, it seems, have a tendency to cycle out issues from their attention, and this cycling out of news coverage for important world events suggests that Covid-19 may soon follow suit.

However, the possibility of another major Covid outbreak in the near future is uncertain. The potential shift in response to Covid could raise questions about safety and appropriateness. The author suggests that as society becomes more accustomed to living with Covid-19, it might soon be treated as just another cough or the flu.

As the author approaches the end of the recommended isolation period after their father's diagnosis, they reflect on the normalization of Covid-19 in society. This perspective underscores the resilience of humanity in the face of adversity and the adaptability of our response to crises. Yet, it also serves as a reminder that the battle against Covid-19 is far from over.