We have a "rheostat". It works by dialing up and down *some* de-densification, masking, TESTING, & OBVIOUSLY vaccinations, but also boosters at some point.
We can AND SHOULD dial these up when outbreaks present.
It does not mean that we can't have social events, but we need to offset this in other ways.
Wear a mask if you are speaking face to face with someone.
DO NOT hold events in poorly ventilated spaces.
Use AND advocate testing in schools and other settings where spread WILL occur.
Every elderly person should get a booster NOW or as soon as Moderna & JNJ are approved. Less than 1 in 4 Pfizer eligible elderly individuals have gotten their booster.
Now that we have more therapeutics, there is even more reason for testing: most of these therapeutics work in a narrow window of time: if you don't know you have COVID until day 14, you are too late to benefit.
Having another 100K+ deaths in USA before next summer is NOT acceptable and we don't have to accept it. /end
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Last year, there were few classes held in-person and those that were held, were near empty. This year, full census in classrooms.
Last year, staff (including most/many faculty) & researchers were primarily WFH. This year, they are back to working on-site, albeit with some accommodations/modifications.
"...91% of Democrats, 85% of independents, and 76% of Republicans, as well as majorities of seniors (84%), who would be most affected by such a provision [favor drug price negotiations by Medicare prior to learning more]"
"...most (84%) of the public, including 3/4 (78%) of Republicans, say the argument in favor – “this is needed because Americans pay higher prices than people in other countries, many can’t afford their prescriptions, & drug company profits are too high” – is convincing."
"...a third (33%) say the argument against – “this would have the government too involved and will lead to fewer new drugs being available in the future” – is convincing. This includes nearly half (45%) of Republicans."
They convey fear, frustration, & anguish. Many have already been to the ED 1 or more times. Their symptoms are often constitutional (headaches, extreme fatigue, muscle aches).
In all my time in medicine, I have not seen lingering symptoms to this degree after a viral infection (caveat, AIDS). We see the occasional post-viral/post-flu pneumonia cases; & PCPs have seen many weakened or exhausted by bad flu; but numbers that present to the ED are large.
Florida with 1,296 newly reported deaths today! (NOT a record, but likely muted by Labor Day Holiday).
Will continue in this thread with further points of note from this CDC report. Follow along if interested.
We have a new single day record for deaths (and this is far from a final number so expect it to be substantially higher when all deaths are reported)
330 on August 20th
I have expected that the peak would occur in the week following August 20th, so not only is 330 far from a complete figure but it will not be the final peak. Would now predict absolute peak >350 or so.
The implications for this are vast & ANOTHER reason why we need timely, responsive clinical trials funded & supported by government. (cc:@ScottGottliebMD )
Bottom line: we don't know enough about protective immunity conferred by prior infection.
(And one could extend this to vaccinated individuals, but here we have clinical trials funded by the vaccine manufacturers that can answer most of these questions).
A LARGE percent of DOCUMENTED previously infected individuals do not have measurable antibodies. This does not mean they are not protected. But it sure raises questions.
1. Vaccines reduce spread. Far less than we would have hoped but still substantially. They are still EXTREMELY effective against severe illness & death.
2. Vaccinated individuals do NOT spread more than unvaccinated individuals.
3. The CDC director does NOT believe that vaccines do not reduce transmission.
4. Ivermectin works well for strongyloidiasis & onchocerciasis. It has no proven use in preventing or treating COVID. In some forms, it can be dangerous, however.