I think they're a little early calling it post-pandemic, but we do seem to be on the exit waves, or on the exit of the risk curve. I can understand what they're saying mind (even though it's not strictly true), as I think it's because we're probably through >99% of the damage and because the IFR is now something like 0.04%. In 2020 and the latter part of 2021 it was around 1%, and more importantly in 20 and 21 it had potential to overcome healthcare, if we took no action, it can't rally do that now, unless something changes drastically. Every time it's changed before, we've been more and more protected.
ONS is weeks behind, and BA5 is heading to nothing, all each variant has done is find various gaps, and now there are not many gaps left. Some clever folk on twitter has spotted the turn in the most recent BA5 wave two weeks ago, from the hospitalisation growth rate.
There's hardly anyone left to infect now (who hasn't already had it), and most have had three jabs and multiple exposures, so are as safe as they're ever going to be. It's probably in the best interest of those who have not had it or who are vulnerable that we get through BA5 quick, as it can't be stopped and prolonging risk makes no sense.
The world is now on roughly the same daily deaths as it was when the pandemic was declared in March 20 (and when it was declared, many multiples more were missed).
The wave we're on now is BA5, and the countries which got hit with that before us are pretty much on nothing now, which is exactly where we're heading.
I suppose there's much bigger fish to fry now, and although it's still a pandemic there has to come a risk level where you have to move on to something else, and declare us out of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (Pheic). This may stay longer internationally, where they're still vaccinating etc.