Abstract
Economic pressures combined with anti-science politics have led to the termination of COVID-19 safety protocols in the United States (US). Although the epidemiology and virology of COVD-19 have not changed since its emergence in late 2019, intentional, consistent strategies with demonstrated efficacy for containment of the pandemic have been abandoned. Diminished media coverage of COVID-19 contributes to the popular notion that the pandemic is “over.” COVID-19 thus remains uncontained in the US. The number of US COVID-19 fatalities remains the highest in the world, and continues to grow. Beyond the negative consequences for public health and pandemic management, the confabulation of politics and science has also produced growing political tensions, with the emergence of socially regressive legislation in states historically invested in the anti-science agenda as applied to COVID-19. Recommendations are made for consistent messaging and policy from government agencies to improve management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and unify the public in acceptance of science-based interventions and attitudes.