Just got back from my 50th high school reunion in Upper Michigan and within a few days, 11 people reported testing positive for Covid19 out of the 50 or so that were there. (Likely a few more not on FB or otherwise not reporting.) The buffet line was likely responsible and it appears that the new variant is very contagious. I have tested negative and feel fine, but I think I was the only one that was using Purell alcohol gel after the ladle sharing. Got in the habit of this after getting sick from buffet lines in Chiang Mai years ago from tourists.

I just spoke with a friend in the medical field here in Eastern Washington State and apparently it has not hit here yet but the new vaccination coming out in a month or so will cover it. The ERIS variant does not tend to affect the lungs and has more head cold-like symptoms.