It’s been a week of whiplash news on covid, as the magnitude of the Delta threat becomes clearer.
What does this mean for you and your family? How worried should you be if you’re vax’d? How much should you change your behavior? Do you need a booster?
Here are some answers. 1/
What does this mean for you and your family? How worried should you be if you’re vax’d? How much should you change your behavior? Do you need a booster?
Here are some answers. 1/
Is Delta really that bad?
* For the unvaccinated, Delta is extremely dangerous—it's incredibly contagious (far more than the original strain), and probably more deadly. If you're one of the 2 million+ people in NYC who has yet to get a shot, it's urgent that you ACT NOW. 2/
* For the unvaccinated, Delta is extremely dangerous—it's incredibly contagious (far more than the original strain), and probably more deadly. If you're one of the 2 million+ people in NYC who has yet to get a shot, it's urgent that you ACT NOW. 2/
Does the vaccine work against Delta?
* The vaccines continue to be extremely effective against Delta, offering incredibly strong protection against serious cases and death. The vast majority of people hospitalized with covid are unvaccinated. 3/
* The vaccines continue to be extremely effective against Delta, offering incredibly strong protection against serious cases and death. The vast majority of people hospitalized with covid are unvaccinated. 3/
Why are vax'd people testing positive?
* If you’re vax'd, your chance of getting a mild or asymptomatic case is very low—but there's a small chance you can become infected. (And again...the vax eliminates almost all hospitalization and fatality which is the ultimate goal.) 4/
* If you’re vax'd, your chance of getting a mild or asymptomatic case is very low—but there's a small chance you can become infected. (And again...the vax eliminates almost all hospitalization and fatality which is the ultimate goal.) 4/
Why are there so many news stories about “breakthrough” cases?
* Breakthrough cases (someone fully vaccinated becoming infected) remain rare, but they do occur. Headlines too often fail to mention that the vast majority of breakthrough cases are mild. 5/
* Breakthrough cases (someone fully vaccinated becoming infected) remain rare, but they do occur. Headlines too often fail to mention that the vast majority of breakthrough cases are mild. 5/
Will the vaccine wear off?
* It appears there are more breakthrough cases (mostly mild) as people get further away from their shot, but the data is still preliminary. Experts have always said that due to waning immunity the vax campaign would likely need to continue for years. 6/
* It appears there are more breakthrough cases (mostly mild) as people get further away from their shot, but the data is still preliminary. Experts have always said that due to waning immunity the vax campaign would likely need to continue for years. 6/
Do I need a booster shot now?
* Definitive data on effectiveness of boosters is not yet in, but CDC is considering authorizing for aged 65+ & immunocompromised. (But there's the ethical question of giving extra shots here while billions globally haven't gotten their 1st shot). 7/
* Definitive data on effectiveness of boosters is not yet in, but CDC is considering authorizing for aged 65+ & immunocompromised. (But there's the ethical question of giving extra shots here while billions globally haven't gotten their 1st shot). 7/
Should I be worried if I got J&J?
* J&J appears to offer strong protection against serious illness from Delta, but there's research showing it's less effective than Pfizer/Moderna at stopping mild cases. Some MDs have started recommending a 2nd shot for vulnerable patients. /8
* J&J appears to offer strong protection against serious illness from Delta, but there's research showing it's less effective than Pfizer/Moderna at stopping mild cases. Some MDs have started recommending a 2nd shot for vulnerable patients. /8
Can I spread Delta if I’m vaccinated?
* Vaccination makes you far less likely to get infected, but there is strong evidence that if you are infected, including from a mild or asymptomatic case, then yes, you can spread it. 9/
* Vaccination makes you far less likely to get infected, but there is strong evidence that if you are infected, including from a mild or asymptomatic case, then yes, you can spread it. 9/
Do I need to start wearing a mask again if I’m vaccinated?
* If you are in an indoor setting where there is no screening for vaccination then yes, you should wear a mask (because of the small chance of breakthrough infection and the possibility that you could spread). 10/
* If you are in an indoor setting where there is no screening for vaccination then yes, you should wear a mask (because of the small chance of breakthrough infection and the possibility that you could spread). 10/
Why have New York City and State given no new guidance on masks since May?
* Great question! It’s outrageous that there has been no update for the public in light of the new threat of Delta. In the meantime NYers need to take it upon themselves to mask up indoors. 11/
* Great question! It’s outrageous that there has been no update for the public in light of the new threat of Delta. In the meantime NYers need to take it upon themselves to mask up indoors. 11/
Is delta dangerous for kids?
* Kids remain at lower risk than adults & are more likely to have mild cases, but we’d still rather them avoid infections. The best way to protect kids is to ensure everyone around them aged 12+ is vax'd. In crowded settings kids need masks. 12/
* Kids remain at lower risk than adults & are more likely to have mild cases, but we’d still rather them avoid infections. The best way to protect kids is to ensure everyone around them aged 12+ is vax'd. In crowded settings kids need masks. 12/
Do I still need to get tested if I've been vaccinated?
* If you’ve been exposed to someone with the virus, you should get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms. Be extra diligent on mask wearing indoors for 14 days or until you test neg. If you test pos isolate for 10 days. 13/
* If you’ve been exposed to someone with the virus, you should get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms. Be extra diligent on mask wearing indoors for 14 days or until you test neg. If you test pos isolate for 10 days. 13/
Do I need to download a "vax passport" app?
* An increasing # of venues in NYC are screening for vax/test status (and hopefully this will become a mandate soon). Now is the time to get your app. You now have two options, Excelsior, or the new City app. 14/
* An increasing # of venues in NYC are screening for vax/test status (and hopefully this will become a mandate soon). Now is the time to get your app. You now have two options, Excelsior, or the new City app. 14/
https://twitter.com/MarkLevineNYC/status/1420925262145986560?s=20
Are there other variants I should be worried about?
* Gamma is a variant of concern, it's been in NYC for months but has been “outcompeted” by Delta. Lambda is a variant of interest that's now in the U.S. but not yet in NYC. Our best defense against all of these: vaccination. 15/
* Gamma is a variant of concern, it's been in NYC for months but has been “outcompeted” by Delta. Lambda is a variant of interest that's now in the U.S. but not yet in NYC. Our best defense against all of these: vaccination. 15/
When will this end?
* NYC faces a difficult few months ahead, with tighter public health measures than we hoped would be necessary at this point. But vaccines still offer us a path out of this. We beat waves 1 and 2. NYC has what it takes to beat this one too. 16/16
* NYC faces a difficult few months ahead, with tighter public health measures than we hoped would be necessary at this point. But vaccines still offer us a path out of this. We beat waves 1 and 2. NYC has what it takes to beat this one too. 16/16
Join us tomorrow for a live online Q&A with Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, internationally recognized epidemiologist at @ColumbiaMSPH, on what Delta means for you, your family, and NYC.
Monday, 5:00pm. RSVP: bit.ly/3BLzK3o
Monday, 5:00pm. RSVP: bit.ly/3BLzK3o
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