In August 2022, the Center of Disease Control (CDC) acknowledged that while the world was still in a global pandemic, several distinctions were made to separate our current progress from its origin. With the use of masking efforts, widespread vaccine distribution, and diligence from each of us in maintaining safe lifestyles, we’ve lowered the danger that COVID-19 once brought – and here’s how.
How did We Enter 2022?
2022 brought along many policies that were set to aggressively fight the transmission and spread of COVID-19. Groups like the World Health Organization (WHO) created ongoing initiatives like the Strategic Preparedness, Readiness, and Response Plan (SPRP) to reduce any further pandemic-related damage.
After its publishing in 2020, the SPRP continually released guidelines on a variety of public topics, from the suppression of COVID exposure, information about variants and their effectiveness, and kept people up to date with the pandemic. In the years following COVID-19 through 2022, their data has allowed for easier coordination, vaccine access, and ultimately, community protection.
International travel took a large hit during the pandemic, which fell as large as 65% during its peak. At first, restrictions were put in place to prevent the spread of the virus through air travel, severely limiting the number of flights that could enter and leave a country. In the beginning of 2022, we saw more and more flights being allowed to operate after they were allowed to resume at pre-COVID levels in June 2021.
This travel policy was particularly harsh on international students, as those still being allowed to travel had significant limits imposed on their trips, with strict borders, required testing and vaccinations, and long quarantine periods of up to 2 weeks as barriers of entry, on top of the overall struggles of obtaining a visa in their home countries.
Where the Year Has Taken Us
As 2022 progressed, the world began to see a decline in the number of people falling ill to COVID-19. Months of preparation, medical developments, and better responsiveness were able to re-pivot society into a direction of rebuilding – normalcy could finally be in our sights again.
Health organizations like WHO and the CDC began to shift their public information from grievances about the pandemic to more optimistic news about the next COVID treatment or advancement. The media began shifting their news to findings of viral mutations, new vaccine boosters, and even new infection prevention recommendations.
Some of the biggest changes in 2022 that were a reflection of our improvements were:
- Removal of the social distancing guidance (was previously 6 feet)
- Regular testing only emphasized in areas of constant high risk, like prisons or hospitals
- More lenient quarantine guidelines – quarantine only for 5 days, down from 10 days
- Faster return of individuals to work and school after catching COVID
- Stronger immunities with repeated booster shots
Travel has remained a large topic during this time, largely due to the willingness of more and more nations to open their borders again. With visa appointments more easily accessible and flights resuming close to regular schedules, international applicants came back to the US in waves, increasing the number of international visa applicants from 9% to 31% over the last year.
What To Be Expected in 2023?
In 2022, health organizations and politicians hinted that the world was on its way to entering an endemic – or a regular occurrence of a disease in society. In a recent interview with 60 Minutes, United States President Joe Biden even went as far to reassure the American public by stating, “The pandemic is over. We still have a problem with COVID…but the pandemic is over”
It is to the understanding of many that COVID still exists and will continue to exist among us. The difference between 2020 and now is people’s behaviors and mindsets – we have understood this virus and are ready to live with it using the right preparation.
International students specifically will use the upcoming few years to repair the damage this virus has done to new arrivals in the states, down to only 8 million in 2020 after reaching around 40 million in 2019. New international student arrivals are anticipated to rebound to 31 million in 2023, a sign of pre-COVID levels.
Near December 2022, the United States had taken greater alert to a trifecta of respiratory viruses – COVID-19, the flu, and RSV. While this does not shed newer light on any COVID-19 developments specifically, it is best advised to continue following the same wellness guidelines like masking and distancing to heavily reduce the chance of being infected and in turn, infecting other people.
It would be no surprise if the news cycle over COVID was similar through 2023 – new variant discoveries followed almost immediately with a response and action plan, eventually resulting in a new vaccine. The CDC has an ongoing global response strategy that is constantly updated to reflect new principles, objectives, and key activities that will further minimize the impact of this virus.
If you are an international student wanting to study in the US at this time, remember to look up any requirements of schools or areas where you are arriving, as well as any transportation requirements – this will include abiding by any masking policies, providing proof of vaccination or boosters, or even any required testing for precaution.
ISO wishes you all a health-filled and more optimistic 2023 and have high hopes that the pursuit of pre-COVID normalcy can be reached in a shorter time!
If you’re attending college in the United States, take advantage on saving money with an ISO insurance plan and still be covered for injuries and sicknesses – don’t let COVID stop you a second time!
