As of just one month ago, the number of people infected with the 6th wave of coronavirus decreased significantly, and many people had high hopes for this summer.  JTB, a major travel agency, conducted a survey on travel trends among “people who plan to travel for one or more nights during summer vacation (July 15th to August 31st).” and the analysis concluded that the willingness to travel during the summer vacation in 2022 will increase significantly compared to last year, approaching the level before the COVID-19 pandemic. And they predicted more long-distance travel, longer stays, and more trips with friends. However, immediately after the survey was conducted, the number of people infected with the corona virus began to increase rapidly, and on August 3, the number of infected people reached more than 249,000, the highest ever.  Schools all over the country started summer vacation, and although they had high hopes for the arrival of the summer vacation season, the situation suddenly changed to put a damper on that mood.  Even so, over the last two years, patience has exceeded the limit, and many people are heading out to the mountains and the sea.  Fortunately, the peak of the 7th wave seems to have crossed the mountain.  The national high school baseball tournament also welcomes spectators for the first time in a long time, and the competition is heating up.  I hope this summer will be a good memory.

今からちょうど１ヶ月前までには、第６波のコロナ感染者数も大幅に減少し、今年の夏に多くの人達が期待を掛けました。大手旅行会社のJTBでも「夏休み（7月15日～8月31日）に、１泊以上の旅行に出かける人」の旅行動向アンケートをい、2022年の夏休み旅行意欲、昨年比で大幅増。コロナ禍前の水準へ近づく遠方への旅行、滞在期間の長期化、友人との旅行が増加」と予測しました。しかし、このアンケートが行われた直後から、コロナ感染者数は急速に増加傾向に転じ、8月3日には感染者数が24万9000人余りと、これまでで最も多くなりました。各地の学校では夏休みが始まり、夏の行楽シーズンの到来に期待を掛けていたのに、そんなムードに水を差すような事態に急変したわけです。それでも、この２年以上にわたる我慢は限界を越え、多くの人達は山に海にと繰り出しています。幸い、第７波のピークは山を越えたようです。全国高校野球大会も久しぶりで観客を迎え、熱戦を繰り広げています。この夏が良い思い出になることを願います。