Excellent summary. What are the data regarding effectiveness of antivirals, especially Paxlovid, against BA.5? Anecdotes suggest it may be effective initially, but rebound disease can occur. Dr. Fauci is an example.

I am quite disappointed that the full potential of the mRNA vaccines is not being exploited. Vaccines can be quickly developed and tested for immunogenicity against new subvariants. Manufacturing efficiency and capacity is much better than in 2020. But government urgency and funding, at least in the US, have waned, and Pfizer and Moderna won’t be willing to bear the cost of frequent vaccine updates. I agree with your suggestions, but these are a long ways off. Updating vaccines to the current variants is possible now. Cost and infrastructure logistics, as well as arcane regulatory structures, are still significant barriers, though.