It is somewhat surprising to me that it came down to vaccine mandates. Early on I was not in favor of vaccine mandates. But after 7 months & plenty of supply if half the country remains not fully vaccinated in the middle of a delta wave: there is not much else in way of options.
There is only one way out of COVID and that is herd immunity.
There is a safe way to get to herd immunity and a dangerous way.
We want the safe way: vaccinate 80% or more of the public and hope the virus doesn't mutate to a vaccine evasive variant in between.
Our irritation if any should be against the virus, not at people trying their best to keep us safe.
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The focus of the story has been that the viral load in vaccinated and unvaccinated was similar. And this was partly the reason for CDC changing mask guidance. Since it raises the possibility that vaccinated people may be able to transmit COVID to others.
But the study does not change current understanding that while breakthroughs can occur with delta, current vaccines protect against severe disease.
We cannot compare to "unvaccinated group" due to confounders. Also note unvaccinated group includes partially vaccinated.
COVID vaccines are not perfect. But they are darn good, and keep you alive. Even with delta, alpha, gamma, kappa, lambda, etc.
I'm following Malta (90% vaccinated) and the UK. Look how deaths have stayed low. Couple more weeks to be sure. #GetVaccinated
Malta is almost fully vaccinated. 75% mRNA vaccines.
Of 2060 active cases, 33 are in the hospital, including 2 in ICU. A little over half the hospitalized patients are unvaccinated even though unvaccinated are only a small % of the population.
Although CDC revised guidance for masks applies to high COVID incidence areas, here is what I am doing: I am wearing a mask indoors unless I am sure everyone in the place is fully vaccinated, even though I am vaccinated, and not in a high risk area. google.com/amp/s/www.busi…
The reason is delta variant has become the predominant strain here. Over half the public remains not fully vaccinated. delta is very transmissible. I may inadvertently pass on COVID to others who are not vaccinated. The delta variant is also more serious, and so why take a risk?
I support the CDC revised guidance. I view it as the minimum we need to do. Happy to go beyond.
We forget the FDA would have given EUA if COVID vaccines were only 50% effective. We lucked out with 95% efficacy on mRNA vaccines.
Count your blessings.
Get your vaccines.
As the virus mutates, or as time passes, some breakthrough infections are reported. But do not be hesitant because of that. If you are vaccinated do not be worried because of that. The 90-95% efficacy is holding against severe disease and deaths.
Fact: Most people in the US are not fully vaccinated against COVID.
The COVID virus doesn't give us a break that 15% of the country is not eligible for the vaccines yet. Makes our job that much harder to reach herd immunity.
delta doesn't also seem to give a break for those who had one dose only.
Many countries are overcoming these hurdles.
It's doable. And we have no excuses since we have the best vaccine supply and the best resources.