By JOHN KANELIS / johnkanelis_92@hotmail.com

The death rate from the COVID-19 virus is showing signs of abating.

It provides only a glimmer of hope, though, for those of us who want to stay the course in seeking to mitigate the damage done by the killer virus.

I keep reading about the progress we’re seeing with the increase in the daily rate of vaccination. It has exceeded 2 million doses daily. It is closing in on 3 million. President Biden promised to have 100 million Americans vaccinated during his first 100 days in office; it looks as though he will smash that projection.

I am thinking tonight of the “war on terror,” and wondering how we ever will be able to declare victory in that conflict. I don’t see it happening. Nor do I see it occurring any time soon in this war against the coronavirus. The pandemic has killed more than 525,000 Americans; more of us will succumb to the virus. Of that I am certain.

The war against international terror has now been handed off to the fourth commander in chief. It started under George W. Bush, continued under Barack H. Obama and then Donald J. Trump. Joe Biden likely won’t be able to declare victory against terrorists.

Nor will he likely be able to declare victory against the coronavirus pandemic. “Normal” will look like the new normal for a long time to come.

The death rate and the hospitalization rate, though, we all hope will continue to decline. I suppose I am left to place my faith that the continuing decline will give us reason to keep on fighting.