Political Rewind: It's a new year, but pandemic frustrations remain. So where do we stand now?

Caption

A health worker collects a swab sample from a traveler at a railway station to test for COVID-19, before he is allowed entry into the city, in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

Credit: Rajanish kakade, AP

The Panel:

Dr. Carlos del Rio — Executive associate dean, Emory School of Medicine & Grady Health System

Ellen Eldridge — Senior health care reporter, Georgia Public Broadcasting

Tamar Hallerman — Senior reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Breakdown:

1. A record amount of COVID cases were reported in Georgia

• On Dec. 30, a record 17,923 new cases were reported, according to Georgia Department of Public Health data.
• The Department of Health said it would not update its numbers on Monday because a large amount of data overwhelmed their system.
  

• The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention predicts the surge of cases from the omicron variant will peak later this month, but Dr. Carlos del Rio said it is important to remain on guard for this highly transmissible variant.

2. Messaging to parents during this omicron surge.

• Ellen Eldridge recently spoke to new parents during the pandemic about their desire to vaccine their young children.
• Del Rio said the best way to protect children under 5, who currently cannot get vaccinated, is to vaccinate those around them.

3. Wearing the right type of mask. 

• Del Rio said the key to protecting yourself and your family is finding the right mask, with the right fit, to protect your face. 

4. When does the pandemic end?

• Tamar Hallerman spoke about trying to keep up with the changing landscape of this pandemic. 

Tomorrow on Political Rewind: Georgia Public Broadcasting's Riley Bunch joins us.