Is it possible those who have pushed the pandemic panic narrative for so long simply cannot conceive of an end to the crisis? Gavin Newsom's insistence that COVID-19 cases will rise again during the winter months certainly invites that very question.

Coronavirus hospitalizations in the state have fallen about 14% in the last month — a trend state data models forecast will continue for the next month — but Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday continued to sound the alarm about the potential for another winter spike that could overwhelm hospitals in some areas.

It's not just that hospitalizations are down. Cases have been trending down for three months.

Hospitalizations are not just down, but staffed bed utilization is now below 80%.

While the downturn in cases is not yet the longest on record for California--this year's spring lull lasted 4 months--it is definitely closing in on that record. By the most direct indicators available, for California, the COVID-19 pandemic is receding along with the cases

In a literal sense, Governor Newsom Is right: the disease will eventually return. Given the right combination of factors, case counts will trend upward again.

Still, one has to marvel at a mindset which prefers a state of constant fear over a collective sigh of relief that, at least for now, the pandemic is largely over.