As the Omicron variant continues to rage, more than half a million Americans are being tested for COVID-19. That has caused massive staff shortages across almost all industries.
Everyone seems to know someone with COVID-19, even well-known people.
“Today”Hoda Kotb, a host of Hoda TV, joined the growing number of TV personalities infected by the virus. “Fox and Friends”After a bout with COVID on Thursday, Steve Doocey returned to the airwaves. It sounds like he is still in recovery.
“It pretty much went through our whole family. I got it. my wife got it,”Doocey stated.
His son, Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocey was also positive.
John Mayer, the musician, has also announced that he has COVID-19. All upcoming concerts have been cancelled.
Omicron surge is causing a national panic. “sick out”This is affecting all aspects of American life. Hundreds of stores and restaurants have been forced to cut back on their hours or close altogether.
“Restaurants are in panic mode right now, because they don’t have enough staff to open restaurants on time or serve people as they would like to,”Cheryl Casone, Fox Business Network correspondent, said.
Rachel Wyman is the owner of Montclair Bread, a popular New Jersey bakery. She says that her business was forced to close down after 25% of her staff tested positive. It has since been reopened.
“We’ve fought so hard for the last two years. We didn’t close at all. And then this hits and it’s just crippling,” Wyman said.
Schools are also in trouble.
On Thursday, 1,700 Miami teachers called in sick. It was all hands on deck — even the district superintendent filled in as a substitute science teacher.
In Michigan, food workers and school bus drivers are stepping in to supervise classes.
Casone stated that New Jersey’s retired teachers are eligible for not only their retirement benefits but also a salary, if they return to teaching.
Professional sports are also being affected by this increase in cases.
According to reports, the NFL has a contingency plan for the unlikely scenario that they need to move the Super Bowl from Los Angeles next month. One possible backup site is AT&T stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The World Health Organization announced Thursday that a record 9.5 Million cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the world within the past week.