Another year in the books, this was the one we thought we could be back to normal. The coronavirus - and the omicron variant - had different plans.

“We’re learning more about omicron every day. It seems milder in many ways than delta. However, the jury is still out on that because we have only data from countries that have a different infection history than we do,” said Gigi Gronval. She works on pandemics with John’s Hopkins University.

She’s right - omicron seems to be milder than previous variants.

But it also spreads quickly.

And it’s causing an unprecedented spike in cases in the U.S.

“Omicron is spreading a little bit more rapidly because it’s able to infect people who are vaccinated and even boosted. So we’re having a lot more transmission because of that,” said Gronval.

This brings us to New Year’s Eve. Traditionally one of the biggest nights for large gatherings in the U.S. and worldwide. Should you go to that party?

The White House says no.

“If you plan to go to a 40 to 50 person New Year’s Eve party, with all the bells and whistles and everybody hugging and kissing, wishing each other a happy New Year, I would strongly recommend that this year we do not do that,” said Dr. Anthony Faucci in a recent White House briefing.

Experts say throwing caution to the wind and treating it like we aren’t in a pandemic is not a good idea.

“Do what you can to protect yourself and reduce the likelihood that you’re going to get infected. This is just where we are right now, and unfortunately, we can’t just dismiss all concerns about the pandemic when it’s still ongoing,” said Gronval.

If you do head out - make sure to take some precautions.

“If you go and do it anyway, I would recommend taking some precautions. I hope that people have already had a chance to get a booster. If they do not, that will make a big difference in a brief time,” said Gronval, “Stay in well-ventilated areas, if you’re going to have a party or get together, make it outside, bundle there’s no such thing as bad weather, there’s just bad clothing.”

It’s not the news we wanted. But it is the information we need to stay as safe as possible this year.

Here’s to giving you some better news in 2022.

NEW YORK —

New York City readied to embrace the new year — and bid good riddance to another pandemic-marred 12 months — as it prepared to revive its annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square.

It did so as an uneasy nation tries to muster optimism that the worst days of the pandemic are now behind it — even as public health officials cautioned Friday against unbridled celebrations amid surging COVID infections from the omicron variant.

The city said it would limit the number of people it lets into Times Square to witness a 6-ton ball, encrusted with nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals, descend above a crowd of about 15,000 in-person spectators — far fewer than the many tens of thousands of revelers who usually descend on the world-famous square to bask in the lights, hoopla and shower of confetti during the nation's marquee New Year's Eve event.

"We are very excited to welcome back visitors to Times Square this New Year's Eve," said Tom Harris, the president of the Times Square Alliance. "Our goal is to have a safe and responsible event for the world to see."

The annual ball drop takes place Friday, as the clock ticks into midnight and ushers in the new year, an occasion usually commemorated with Champagne, clinking pints, joyous embraces and hopes for better times ahead.

But 2022 begins just as the year prior began — with the pandemic clouding an already uncertain future.

Doubts swirled whether the city would have to cancel this year's bash, as the city posted record numbers of COVID cases in the days leading to it, even as some cities like Atlanta had decided to cancel their own celebrations.

Last year's ball drop was closed to the public because of the outbreak.

COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have soared to their highest levels on record at over 265,000 per day on average. New York City reported a record number of new, confirmed cases — more than 39,590 — on Tuesday, according to New York state figures.

But Mayor Bill de Blasio, who will relinquish oversight of the nation's most populous city at the stroke of midnight, said the festivities at Times Square would "show the world that New York City is fighting our way through this."

Officials said those attending the spectacle would have to wear masks and show proof of vaccination. Organizers had initially hoped that more than 50,000 revelers would be able to join in, but plans were dramatically scaled back because of widespread infections.

Rap artist and actor LL Cool J was supposed to be among the performers taking the stage in Times Square Friday night, but announced he would pull out of the event because he had tested positive for COVID-19.

New York City's incoming mayor, Eric Adams, is scheduled to take his oath in Times Square soon after the ball drop. He expressed hope Thursday that 2022 would be "a new beginning of our resiliency."

It was a sentiment shared by ordinary people.

College students and sisters Mary and Vanessa Anyakwo were guardedly optimistic, too, as they took in Times Square on an outing from their home in suburban Elmsford, New York.

"I feel a lot more hopeful than I was last year because I think we have a lot more facilities" to handle the pandemic, said Mary, 20.

Vanessa, 22, pointed to the crowds. "By this time last year," she said, "I didn't think it would be like this."

Paolo Brügger, a banker from Zurich, Switzerland, reflected on a world fed-up with having to endure wave after wave of the virus a year after 2021 dawned with hopes bottled up in vaccine vials.

His optimism was tempered by the world's new reality that the pandemic would linger into the new year.

"A lot of people are asking themselves now, 'Is this going to be like this every year — when we get into the cold season, we have a new variant, and we are back to square one?'" said Brügger, 55.

Still, he was "extremely optimistic" about 2022, partly because vaccines and new therapies against COVID-19 and partly, he said with a chuckle, "because it can't be worse than the last two years."

That expected snow and rising COVID-19 cases are pushing some people to spend New Year's Eve at home this year.

Inside of Spirit World in Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday, dozens of people made their way through rows and rows of Moscato and whiskeys, looking for the perfect drink to start the year.

"I'm looking for some wheated bourbons, a little scotch here and there," Zach Arrington said.

Like the boozy drinks he plans to make, Arrington said his celebration will be "chill."

"I think most of my friends are going to mostly stay in. But I guess that's why I'm also getting a beverage here so I can just have a drink at the end of the night. Celebrate with my wife brand new pups," Arrington said.

The same goes for Quinn Cooper and his family. They'll be hanging out with neighbors.

"Safety first for my family and even though we feel like we're all good, I would not want to spread something out to other people," Cooper said.

Spirit World owner Laurie Hellbusch said that's what they're hearing from most shoppers.

"We're not really seeing a lot of people that are planning on doing the big parties and the big bar gatherings," Hellbusch said.

But customers are still coming in and Hellbusch said they've been working to stay stocked.

"This year we actually started preparation for New Year's, two or three months ago because it kind of came down the pipeline that they were going to be some sparkling wine shortages and obviously sparkling wine is kind of the big hit for New Year's Eve," Hellbusch said.

Starting this summer they stockpiled those sparkling wines and similar drinks to have their shelves full.

But no matter how people decide to celebrate this year, everyone said they're excited to do something.

"Just being able to be around someone that you know and celebrate a holiday I think it's enough for people right now," Cooper said.

Watch the video above for the full story.

New health and safety protocols were announced Thursday for the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square.

The event in New York City will be limited to 15,000 people. Approximately 58,000 people typically pack into Times Square to see the ball drop on New Year's Eve.

Masks and proof of vaccination status are required for those planning to attend the event. Organizers will also limit entry to after 3 p.m.

The latest health protocols come as New York City faces a surge in cases of COVID-19 due to the omicron variant. The latest seven-day average of COVID-19 cases in New York City is well over 12,000.

This year's event marks the return of the in-person celebration. The annual tradition was virtual in 2020 due to concerns about the virus.