Are we sure it’s not four years ago? That first summer of the coronavirus pandemic, when wearing a mask outdoors was a new kind of sweltering, when travel plans were changed, canceled, or infection-inducing? You’re not alone if you’ve experienced COVID déjà vû this summer.
The U.S. is in the midst of what has become an annual summer surge in COVID cases. In fact, the nation is experiencing its biggest spike in summer infections yet, according to test positivity records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over the past four summers, peak test positivity has volleyed between July and August:
