The omicron variant is making the New Year's holiday hard for millions of Americans. As infections surge around the country, celebrations have been canceled.
Cases of omicron are surging. The seven-day average is 240,408, a 60% increase over last week. Although the percentage of cases that require hospitalization or cause death remain relatively low, the sheer infectiousness of the disease means many people will suffer.
Meanwhile, the latest pandemic-muddled holiday has left a lot of Americans seriously bummed. Air travel is a mess. Many said the disappointments of New Year's Eve left them feeling angry and isolated.
It's not just individuals trying to balance safety and health versus a sense of isolation and disappointment. For the second year in a row, some shops were forced to shut down.
Meanwhile, for people who choose to gather and celebrate despite the rise in omicron cases, public health officials are urging caution.
People who are vaccinated and have had their booster shots are most safe. Wearing high-quality masks and maintaining social distance whenever possible can also help lower risk.
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