Thread by @AstorAaron

The problem with this whole thread is that it is describing an ongoing virus in circulation, but that is not the same thing as an ongoing pandemic. Increase in cases in Denmark produces very different consequences than increase in cases in Russia bc of different immunity levels.

https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1458304302682763267

Look at the cases and deaths charts for Denmark and Russia. Notice how deaths went up in Russia along with cases, and stayed high? That's what happens with low population immunity.

Yes, waning vaccine immunity will require boosters for elderly people to keep these charts de-coupled. Israel taught us that lesson. But those are available right now, along with 5-11 vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and, very soon, antiviral pills.

It's also important to look at the y-axis when comparing locations. Wyoming and Vermont have similar populations and both are experiencing Delta case waves. The death charts look similar too...until you look at that y-axis. 10 deaths per day in Wyoming v. 2 per day in Vermont.

Vaccines limit infections and transmissions, but they don't eliminate them. Vaccines dramatically decrease bad outcomes from infections, though elderly and immunocompromised people will need boosters to maintain that protection. That is the world of endemicity, not pandemic.

The tools for personal and community protection are there for everybody right now. And they are not mandated NPIs like cloth masks and distancing. The way forward in places with high immunity levels is not to squash cases to zero. It is to accept endemicity and live fully.

If you do not want to get *any* symptomatic covid, get a booster. And do it now, especially as we approach winter. Israel showed dramatic decreases in all infections among those with boosters (dark green line). So if that is your personal concern - and it is mine! -get a booster.

So this is not being cavalier about the virus or downplaying Long Covid or ignoring the immunocompromised or ignoring pressure on hospitals. It is about living permanently with this virus as it ebbs and flows with the seasons.