The COVID Puzzle: What We Know and What We Don't

The world is still grappling with COVID, though vaccines and natural infections have provided some protection. The virus isn't as deadly as it once was, but it's always changing. Scientists need to keep a close eye on it. Five years ago, people in Wuhan, China, got sick with a new virus. We don't know exactly where it came from. Some scientists think it jumped from bats to other animals, then to humans. Others suggest it might have leaked from a lab. Figuring this out is tough, and politics and lack of evidence make it even harder. Millions have died from COVID worldwide, probably much more than reported. Older adults are still at high risk. Vaccines saved countless lives, but they don't stop mild infections forever. We need to update them regularly to keep up with the virus. The virus changes all the time, creating new variants like delta and omicron. Omicron subvariants are now the most common in the U. S. They're less severe but still a concern. Many people still struggle with long COVID, a condition with symptoms lasting months or years. Doctors don't know exactly why it happens or how to treat it. Some studies show vaccination can help reduce the risk.