COVID Surge Meets ‘Apathy’ in California: Pandemic Fatigue, Democratic President

President Joe Biden has escaped blame for the surge, which extends far beyond California — though the administration has blamed Congress — held by Democrats for two years — for failing to fund tests and treatments, amid massive spending.

With Trump gone, there is less urgency in the media to report alleged failures in the fight against the pandemic, though the Biden administration has had the benefit of nearly three years of experience with the coronavirus.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the lack of public health responses is also due to “apathy” — that “Californians don’t appear to care” about rising cases and hospitalizations, and the slow uptake of vaccines:

Yet, even in this conscientious region, vigilance hasn’t lasted. As another winter COVID surge grips the region, large numbers of people are forgoing masks and skipping the latest booster — a vital tool in preventing serious illness as immunity from previous shots or infection wanes.