President Biden stirred up debate when he told "60 Minutes" that the COVID-19 epidemic was "over." The comment made headlines, drew criticism, and left many Americans wondering what it actually means for their daily lives and health decisions. Was he right? And what does a "pandemic is over" statement actually mean for you?
The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, and it has real implications for how you think about COVID-19 going forward.
Quick take
- President Biden said COVID-19 is "over" in a September 2022 interview, then walked back the comment two days later
- Public health experts generally agree the emergency phase of the pandemic has subsided, but COVID is here to stay
- Current U.S. Death rates are down significantly from peak periods, with roughly 400 daily deaths compared to thousands during surges
- Hospitalization levels are at their lowest point since the pandemic began, though thousands remain hospitalized
- Experts say we are in a "transition phase" moving toward COVID being an endemic, manageable illness
- The availability of vaccines, treatments, and knowledge gained over two years has changed the landscape dramatically
Where the Numbers Stand Now
Let's look at what the data actually shows. According to khn.org, COVID deaths in the United States have been lower than during most of the pandemic since spring 2022. The country is seeing roughly 400 deaths per day now. During the worst surges, that number climbed to over 3,000 daily deaths at various points.
Hospital admissions have also steadied at the lowest rate of the recent pandemic. Here is something that often gets lost in the headlines: many patients counted as "COVID hospitalizations" are actually in the hospital for something else. Research from a Massachusetts hospital found that the majority of patients who test positive for COVID-19 there have what doctors call "incidental infection." Only about one in three are actually being treated primarily for a COVID-related illness.
Gandhi, who teaches medicine at UC San Francisco, pointed out that while we can maintain relatively low fatality rates through ongoing medical management, the virus will not disappear entirely. COVID will require continued attention within healthcare settings for the foreseeable future.
Our Analysis: Why This Matters
The president's language sparked pushback, and it is easy to see why. Saying a pathogen is "over" implies a clean ending, but coronaviruses do not work that way. What Biden got right was acknowledging the dramatic change in circumstances since he took office. Back then, physical distancing was common, schools operated virtually, and few Americans had been vaccinated. Today, life resembles pre-pandemic norms in most ways that matter.
KFF's Jen Kates offered a useful framing. She described the moment as a shift from acute crisis to a longer arc. This is not a dramatic switch being flipped, she suggested, but a gradual slide along a spectrum. The emergency phase has eased, but the virus has not vanished.
Dr. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt University put it another way. He said we are now moving on to an "ongoing struggle" with the virus, calling it a "truce."
Here is what that means practically. During the height of the pandemic, the goal was emergency response, shutdowns, and crushing transmission at all costs. Now the goal is shifting toward managing COVID as one respiratory illness among several, like flu and RSV. We have vaccines and booster shots. We have treatments like Paxlovid. We have testing infrastructure. The virus has not disappeared, but our tools to handle it have expanded enormously.
This shift does not mean zero risk. Critics of Biden's phrasing rightly pointed out that hundreds of Americans are still dying daily, and thousands are hospitalized. Long COVID remains a concern for many who have been infected. Experts also warn that indoor winter months could bring another uptick.
What This Means for You
Say you are an adult deciding whether to get the latest booster shot this fall. You hear mixed messages about whether COVID is still a big deal. Here is a practical way to think about it. The virus is not going away, but the likelihood of any healthy, vaccinated person ending up hospitalized or dying from COVID has dropped dramatically compared to 2020 or 2021. That does not make it zero, but it does mean the risk calculus has changed.
If you are older, immunocompromised, or have underlying health conditions, staying current on boosters and having a plan for testing and treatment if you get sick remains important. For younger, healthy people who have been vaccinated and likely had at least one prior infection, the calculus is different. Many experts now view annual COVID boosters similarly to annual flu shots, especially for higher-risk groups.
The key shift is from crisis mode to management mode. You probably will not hear about nationwide lockdowns or school closures unless something dramatically changes with the virus itself. Your personal health choices, in consultation with your doctor, matter more than ever because the broad emergency infrastructure has scaled back.
What to Watch Next
The biggest question is whether a new, more dangerous variant will emerge. So far, that has not happened. The dominant strains since early 2022 have been Omicron subvariants, and no major new variant has appeared since Omicron first showed up in late 2021. MRNA vaccines like those from Moderna and Pfizer can be updated relatively quickly if needed, which gives experts reason for cautious optimism.
Winter will be a test. Respiratory viruses tend to spread more easily when people move indoors, and COVID has followed seasonal patterns in 2022. Watch hospitalization trends in your local area as temperatures drop. If you have been putting off getting a booster or establishing a relationship with a primary care doctor, fall is a good time to do that.
Bottom Line
President Biden's statement that the pandemic is "over" was an oversimplification, but it reflected a real shift in the reality on the ground. COVID-19 is transitioning from an emergency to a manageable health threat. That does not mean the virus is gone or that no one needs to think about it anymore. It means the tools exist to live with it differently, and your personal risk factors and preferences can guide decisions that blanket public health mandates once dictated.
Key takeaways
- The emergency phase of the pandemic has subsided, but COVID is transitioning to an endemic state rather than disappearing entirely
- Personal health decisions about boosters, testing, and treatment are now more important than broad public health mandates
- Your individual risk profile matters more than ever when deciding on precautions
- Winter months will test whether the current stability holds as respiratory viruses spread more easily indoors
- Watch for new variants and local hospitalization trends to guide your personal health choices
Frequently asked questions
Did President Biden say COVID was completely gone?
No. He said the "epidemic is over" in a September 2022 interview, then clarified two days later that COVID is "basically out of place" and more manageable. He did not claim the virus had disappeared.
Are we back to normal life now?
Mostly, yes. Schools are open, events are running, and most restrictions have lifted. However, COVID still circulates, causes hospitalizations and deaths, and will likely follow seasonal patterns like other respiratory viruses.
Should I still get COVID vaccines or boosters?
Public health officials generally recommend staying current on COVID vaccines, especially for older adults, immunocompromised individuals, and those with underlying health conditions. Healthy younger adults who have been vaccinated and likely had prior infections may have more flexibility in their decisions. Talk to your doctor about what makes sense for your situation.
What do experts mean by "pandemic transition"?
Experts describe the current period as a transition from acute pandemic emergency to a more stable "endemic" state, where the virus circulates at lower, more predictable levels rather than causing large, disruptive surges.
What should I watch for in the coming months?
Keep an eye on local hospitalization rates and any news about new variants. Fall and winter typically see increased respiratory virus spread, so staying aware of COVID activity in your area can help you make informed decisions about precautions and medical care.