From the editor

The sixth wave of this COVID-19 corona virus pandemic is winding down. Governments and regulatory agencies are rescinding mask mandates in light of public opposition and the desire to get back to normal, whatever that is. At this writing, we are at 440 million cases worldwide and rising by ∼ 1.5 – 2 million cases per day worldwide and there have been > 6 million deaths which are increasing by ∼ 10,000 per day. Some areas are doing better than others; however, the case rate and the death rate per day is at or above the maximum for the fi rst wave. Areas that have high vaccination rates and good healthcare systems are learning to cope with this disease. I am concerned with what will happen when caution is relaxed and for the safety in areas where vaccination rates are low or have health systems that are challenged by this virus.