Endemic fatalism and why it will not resolve COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this commentary is to provide historical insight into the term endemicity and to demonstrate why framing COVID-19 as endemic in early 2022 is a misguided approach.

Study design: The history of epidemiology as well as current data on COVID-19 as provided by the United States Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Resource Center was surveyed.

Methods: Records of the Epidemiological Society of London for the period 1850-1900 were analyzed, and several key publications on how infectious diseases were considered endemic were identified.

Results: The term endemicity has a long and twisting history, changing from its meaning in the mid-nineteenth century until our use of it today. The concept has long been tied to historical patterns of colonialism.

Conclusion: Framing COVID-19 as an endemic disease in early 2022 is a misguided attempt and a result of cultural and political forces.

Keywords: COVID-19; Colonialism; Endemicity; Epidemiology; Ethics; Health Policy; History; Public health.