So, the US is improving. Brazil is a disaster. Europe is hitting its third wave.
What about India?
India appears to be entering a new wave, which is interesting for a bunch of reasons.
First, lets note that case numbers are spiking. And this is problematic, because India really hasn't vaccinated that many people (less than 4% have received a single dose).
Deaths are a lagging indicator, but the wave appears to be starting.
The biggest problem with rules after vaccination is that it really, really depends on common sense.
Mandates aren't going to work.
If you tell vaccinated people (who often had two shots, and maybe fever and pain) that they still have to live life EXACTLY the same as before... That is a tough sell.
Scientifically, it's bets of everyone wore masks.
But we live in a society, with humans. Not robots. And we have to accept people are emotional, social beings. Ignoring fact undermines policy.
Pharmaceutical companies have come to the world’s rescue with Covid vaccines, but the Biden Administration is under pressure to steal their patents. wsj.com/articles/watch… via @WSJOpinion
I think this is right, for a myriad of reasons:
1. Opening up these patents really isn't going to increase short or mid term supply of vaccine. The supply of raw materials needed is scarce. It would take at least a year, or two, for these countries to expand production.
2. If we want to vaccinate the world....WE CAN AND SHOULD. The cost would be minimal, and the benefits would be huge (STAMP A US FLAG ON EVERY DOSE!).
3. Bush's AIDS program, PEPFAR, is the obvious model for this.