Let me start off with some good news. We are getting many people vaccinated, much more than in most countries in the world. In many places, we are doing well enough that vaccinations are being opened up to younger and younger people. In addition, if you have not yet gotten vaccinated, you can still protect yourself if you remain careful and follow the MASK/DISTANCING/WASHING guidelines.
But that second point is not what is going on.
Despite a 40% increase in cases in the last week, NJ announced even more loosening of indoor dining and public space restrictions. Masks are no longer mandated. WTF??? Overall in the US, there is a 20% increase in cases in the last week.
When all this started, our numbers basically paralleled the world numbers, they just lagged by a few weeks and that is what we are seeing once again. Numbers are on the rise. Not only in Europe and South America, where it is almost as bad as it was at the peak of this pandemic, but also here in the US. In many states, there is close to a 50% increase this last week over previous weeks. In Europe, they are locking down. In the US, we are opening up???
Why is vaccination not enough? Despite having one of the best vaccine rollouts and highest rates of vaccination in the US, Michigan is having a huge surge in Covid cases, and almost 50% of them are the NEW coronavirus variant. I call it NEW because it is almost a completely different virus. The newest data shows that it is nearly twice as infectious as the original Covid virus and causes 60% more serious disease, resulting in significantly more hospitalization and death. Most concerning is that kids are just as likely to contract and transmit these variants as adults are, whereas they were less susceptible to the original virus. Kids can also get just as sick. Lastly, having suffered the original infection or having been vaccinated provides much less protection against the variants.
As far as world vaccination is concerned, there is extreme disproportionality. 80% of the world’s population only has access to 20% of the vaccine. The richest countries are monopolizing the vaccine. That’s one of the main reasons that this will not go away anytime soon. It will keep circulating and recirculating with recurring outbreaks over and over again. As the virus is allowed to survive, more and more variants will emerge and we will continue to chase our tails.
Opening up as the numbers rise? Loosening safety measures when these variants are exploding on the scene? Does it make any sense?
The other bit of great news, it’s Spring. It is getting warmer and there is more light. Speaking of light, it remains dim at the end of the pandemic tunnel but it has not been extinguished! We can defeat it if we just remain vigilant, careful and, most importantly, patient and compassionate towards each other.
Have a great, safe holiday weekend. Celebrate safely with your families if you can. If you can’t, celebrate virtually. We’re all tired of it but we’re also all pretty good at it at this point.
Vaccinated or not, whether you had Covid-19 or not, continue to practice safety measures and remember that it is not just about you, it’s about everyone else.
MASK
DISTANCE
WASH
VENTILATE
VACCINATE
GET HEALTHY!
Stay safe and be well.
AC 🌱 ✌️