Nearly a month ago, I wrote that the next phase of the pandemic would hinge on vaccines, variants, and doubling down on protective measures.
Let’s take a look what’s happened since then and what that means for what’s next:
link.medium.com/MzyVoTK0Oeb
Let’s take a look what’s happened since then and what that means for what’s next:
link.medium.com/MzyVoTK0Oeb
First, vaccines.
The pace of vaccination has sped up dramatically in the past few months. We’re now averaging 2.5 million per day. And over 3 million vaccines were administered just today. 🎉
That’s incredible.
The pace of vaccination has sped up dramatically in the past few months. We’re now averaging 2.5 million per day. And over 3 million vaccines were administered just today. 🎉
That’s incredible.
BUT we’re a huge country and even vaccinating 1% of the population in a day means it’ll take months to get everyone protected.
Only 42% of those >65 years old are fully vaccinated.
And only 13% of the US is fully vaccinated.
The majority of the US is still vulnerable to COVID.
Only 42% of those >65 years old are fully vaccinated.
And only 13% of the US is fully vaccinated.
The majority of the US is still vulnerable to COVID.
Next, variants.
The CDC warned that the more transmissible and deadly B.1.1.7 variant would be a dominant strain by March.
And recently the CDC Director @CDCDirector suggested B.1.1.7 “may now account for as much as 25 – 30%” of cases.
energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrat…
The CDC warned that the more transmissible and deadly B.1.1.7 variant would be a dominant strain by March.
And recently the CDC Director @CDCDirector suggested B.1.1.7 “may now account for as much as 25 – 30%” of cases.
energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrat…
This variant is already circulating in nearly every state. And may help explain the recent rise in cases in many places as well as the increased hospitalizations in places like Michigan.
Cases caused by other variants of concern - B.1.351 and P.1 - are rising as well.
Cases caused by other variants of concern - B.1.351 and P.1 - are rising as well.
Here in NYC Covid cases have plateaued, likely because variants are now behind the majority of new infections.
The NYC variant now accounts for almost half of all cases in the city.
Working in the ER, every one of my recent shifts has seen more Covid patients than the last.
The NYC variant now accounts for almost half of all cases in the city.
Working in the ER, every one of my recent shifts has seen more Covid patients than the last.
https://twitter.com/marklevinenyc/status/1372310696424308741
Lastly, adherence to public health measures.
When I wrote this piece, a handful of states had loosened their mask mandates. I warned others would follow.
Texas and Mississippi soon did exactly that.
Really, really dumb.
When I wrote this piece, a handful of states had loosened their mask mandates. I warned others would follow.
Texas and Mississippi soon did exactly that.
Really, really dumb.
But it’s not just red states pulling back prudent public health measures.
Even here in New York, restrictions are quickly loosening.
Indoor dining is now at 75% capacity in the state and 50% for NYC. Professional sports. Indoor fitness studios...
nytimes.com/2021/03/20/nyr…
Even here in New York, restrictions are quickly loosening.
Indoor dining is now at 75% capacity in the state and 50% for NYC. Professional sports. Indoor fitness studios...
nytimes.com/2021/03/20/nyr…
And Americans are back to traveling in droves. The number of passengers at US airports is the highest since the pandemic began. ✈️✈️✈️
We know that previous travel surges have led to big increases in cases.
forbes.com/sites/joewalsh…
We know that previous travel surges have led to big increases in cases.
forbes.com/sites/joewalsh…
So where does that leave us?
Vaccines are speeding up. But so are variants. And we’re letting down our guard all across the country.
Over the past month, new cases have plateaued nationally. That’s despite getting millions and millions vaccinated.
Vaccines are speeding up. But so are variants. And we’re letting down our guard all across the country.
Over the past month, new cases have plateaued nationally. That’s despite getting millions and millions vaccinated.
So, what does this all mean?
Despite the warming weather and the omnipresent optimism, we’re not done with Covid, and Covid isn’t done with us.
It’s still a risky race of vaccines, variants and how well we follow public health measures.
Despite the warming weather and the omnipresent optimism, we’re not done with Covid, and Covid isn’t done with us.
It’s still a risky race of vaccines, variants and how well we follow public health measures.
Even if we’re vaccinating at an incredible pace, these variants definitely still pose a significant risk.
And if we continue to relax prudent public health measures before its safe, cases could undoubtedly rise yet again.
The summer will be better. Let’s get there safely.
And if we continue to relax prudent public health measures before its safe, cases could undoubtedly rise yet again.
The summer will be better. Let’s get there safely.
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