Earlier this year, the Earth saw a huge dip in carbon emissions as nations around the globe locked down to slow the spread of the coronavirus. It offered a glimpse into what the world might look like…
— Read on futurehuman.medium.com/were-past-the-point-of-no-return-on-global-warming-scientists-warn-6779aaf4ed2b
FYI
Is it really too late or can we change and save ourselves?
Stay safe and be well.
AC
I feel it. Sadness over not being able to celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holidays the way we are accustomed to. These are usually great times celebrating life, family and friends. I haven’t physically seen my parents in almost a year since they live in Canada and travel and quarantining restrictions there are prohibitive (which is why they have a better handle on this pandemic than we in the US do!). It’s painful. I feel bad for myself but I feel worse for my parents, our older friends and family members as well as all the younger people who crave and need getting together with family and friends.
From family and friends get-togethers to the overall Holiday spirit of goodwill, cheer and renewal for the New Year, everything about this holiday season will be different.
At least it should be. It needs to be.
The pandemic is accelerating at a rapid rate and we need to do what we can to slow it down. If not, already overrun facilities will only become more overrun and people will suffer and die unnecessarily. It’s already happening but we are so numb to the news (compassion fatigue) that we don’t even realize it.
There is hope on the horizon however. It’s not a single cure-all, but vaccination is coming and will help a lot, IF we smarten up and do and continue to do what is necessary.
There is some very positive news regarding vaccines. Both Moderna and Pfizer have released information about their vaccines which show 94% and 90% efficacy at generating significant immune responses and even preventing Covid-19. Both are mRNA vaccines which means they form antibodies against the viral genetic material and live or attenuated virus is NOT used. This means that you can’t possibly get Covid from these vaccines. In addition, there have been very few significant side effects shown from the phase 3 trials. There have only been a few serious side effects. Single digits out of tens of thousands of volunteers. Just to keep it in perspective, there is a 1 in 15 chance of complications and a 1 in 556 chance of dying from regularly taking aspirin.
These vaccines appear to be very effective and very safe.
In addition it appears that some will start getting it within the next few months, possibly even by December. Each state will have its own vaccination implementation. In PA, there is a 3 phase plan, starting with healthcare personnel, first responders and critical workers and high-risk individuals. The plan doesn’t specifically address kids but I would think that they will be the last to get it for a few reasons. 1) They are overall healthier and at less at risk, although 20% of kids under 20 are obese these days and at least 1/3rd of them have some chronic disease. 2) Vaccine trials on kids are always done after trials on adults are completed for safety reasons so that data is still forthcoming.
The benefits of vaccination on an individual level are clear. They work. They are safe. They do not cause autism. On a societal level, it’s a different story. We need most (>70%) of people to get the vaccine which, along with the protection provided by actually getting sick, the number of which are rising fast, should be able to provide the “herd immunity” you may keep hearing about. The problem is that some reports indicate that only 40% of people are willing to take the vaccine. Many reasons why, most unfounded and unreasonable. The “anti vax” movement has been on the rise over the last few decades and last year saw the most cases of measles than in the previous 20 years. In addition, enough people need to be protected AT THE SAME TIME to reach the herd immunity level. We still do not know how long the vaccination remains protective however at this stage, it appears that natural infection provides at least 6 to 7 months of some protection. Be it through persistent antibodies or various other specific immune cells like T cells and B cells.
IMPORTANT!!! The above having been said, whether you get infected or immunized, you can still get re-infected and more importantly, can become contagious as well. The degree of infection may be more mild, although some have had worse symptoms. Fortunately, the number of reinfections have been very low. The duration of contagiousness may be shorter, but we just don’t know. ALL the same protection protocols must be followed, vaccinated, infected or not.
Getting back to the Holidays, we MUST think about everyone around us. If there is a way to get together, distanced, well ventilated, masked with family and friends, for even an hour or two, you should try to do it. Improvisation is the name of the game. Some ideas are:
It’s important to be safe but not forget those who are important to us.
Keep up all the important things, whether you have contracted the disease or plan to get immunized.
Respecting this virus is NOT political. It’s NOT religious. It’s NOT about what you personally believe for yourself.
IT IS about caring for others and showing them that you care. In the end, that is what will get us past. There is no “around”, there is only “through”.
MASK UP. Anything works. Some are better than others. Cover your nose. No vents.
DISTANCE. Physically for sure. The social part is what we should not forget about.
WASH YOUR HANDS.
DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE.
VENTILATE
VACCINATE.
GET HEALTHY. Getting together, physically or virtually is part of an overall plan to get healthy.
Stay safe and be well.
AC