(Opinion) Omicron Has Arrived In Gallatin County. So, Now What?

It was only a matter of time.

Monday it was reported that the Covid-19 variant "Omicron" has been detected in Montana.  Not only in Montana but here in Gallatin County.  According to the Daily Montanan, the two cases of the new variant come from individuals that recently returned from travel to South Africa. It is being reported that both individuals were vaccinated prior and are on the mend.

It brings up a question though, how long will all of this go on?

I go to church, I go to stores, I go to social activities, and I see folks wearing masks.  I'm totally cool with that, if wearing a mask makes you feel better or if you believe that helps fight the virus, I completely support that. On the other hand, if you think that wearing masks are a waste of time and does nothing but make life uncomfortable and inconvenient, I completely support that as well.

I guess the thing that floors me the most is we are approaching two years of this.  When will it end? Or will it? Is this the, and I hate this term but I'll use it, the "new normal"?

Here is the bigger question, and I would love to hear your opinion on this. Don't we as Montanans have the right to say and do what we want when it comes to our bodies?  If you as an adult want to get a vaccine, shouldn't you be able to do that?  Same for the other side.  If an adult doesn't want to get the vaccine, isn't that their right?  Shouldn't we at least hear each other out and listen to why or why we don't support what we support?

If I feel comfortable with not wearing a mask, isn't that my choice?  If I feel like I need to wear a mask, that's my choice as well, correct?

It just seems to me that it shouldn't be like this. One side screaming at the other, then the other side screaming back.  Of course, in the last couple of years, a whole lot of people are staying at home and have spent more and more time in front of their screens.  There is a whole lot of data out there to process and people tend to migrate to what supports their viewpoint.

So, if all we do is read things that back up what we already think, the chances of us seeing another point of view and changing our opinion are slim.  As for me, I say let folks do what they feel is best for them and their health.