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Nurses and our health care teams have brought this nation through the worst devastation to our health in over 100 years. We have witnessed more than 720,000 deaths in the United States as a result of COVID-19. And it’s not over. COVID continues to ravage many of our communities, taking the lives of potentially anyone, including younger, healthier adults and hundreds of children. (Beth Wathen and Amanda Bettencourt, 11/3)

Americans should be asking ourselves what else needs to happen before we can declare an end to the crisis phase of the pandemic. Although the coronavirus’s course remains unpredictable—and bad surprises are still possible—the Delta-variant surge that started in early July ushered in what may have been the final major wave of disease in the United States. The 1918 influenza pandemic ended only when enough Americans obtained immunity through infection to bring the pathogen under control. The U.S. may soon reach a similar point of controlling the coronavirus as well, both because of widespread vaccination and because of the immunity generated by the sheer volume of Delta infections. (Monica Gandhi, 11/3)

The text from our pediatrician’s office popped up on my phone a few weeks ago. “We are getting ready to order the COVID-19 vaccines for the age group of 5-11. Would you like to give your child the vaccine? Please respond 1 YES or 2 NO.” I immediately texted back “YES.” Like millions of other parents and caregivers, and alongside our public health and health care colleagues (I am a public health professor; my husband is a primary care physician), we have been anxiously awaiting the availability of this vaccine for months. (Monica L. Wang, 11/4)

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all children 5 to 11 receive the low-dose COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech, clearing the way for shots to begin this week. Yet a recent Kaiser Family Foundation study indicates that one-third of parents plan to take a wait-and-see approach for their children. As a mom of two elementary school-aged boys, I know every parent’s priority is keeping their children healthy and safe. And, as a physician, I understand why some parents have concerns about a new vaccine. I’ve spent time carefully reviewing the data and talking with my children and their father about the vaccine. And I want to share the facts that helped us make our decision to vaccinate our boys as soon as possible. (Mona Gahunia, 11/3)

Florida had a terrible summer in its fight against COVID-19. The state set several grim records, including recording nearly as many deaths from June to the end of September as in all of 2020, when vaccines weren't available. The change in seasons, however, has delivered a brighter outlook. No one should be bellowing "The pandemic is over!" COVID and its variants will likely be with us for a long time. But there are positive signs that the state is regaining its footing after the summer's staggering blow. (11/2)