COVID Update: What should we consider doing differently with Omicron? 1/
1. Plan ahead.
Political leaders, business leaders & the rest of us should consider acting in some areas even before the facts are known for certain.
So what should be assumed about Omicron? 2/
Political leaders, business leaders & the rest of us should consider acting in some areas even before the facts are known for certain.
So what should be assumed about Omicron? 2/
2. Operate with informed but conservative assumptions until we know more.
Making assumptions is always hazardous. So what assumptions should we make until we learn more?
3/
Making assumptions is always hazardous. So what assumptions should we make until we learn more?
3/
Starting assumptions:
-prior COVID exposure will not protect well against Omicron
-the vaccines still work but to a lesser degree than on Delta
-vaccines will work better at protecting against severe disease than moderate
-Omicron spreads as or more rapidly than Delta 4/
-prior COVID exposure will not protect well against Omicron
-the vaccines still work but to a lesser degree than on Delta
-vaccines will work better at protecting against severe disease than moderate
-Omicron spreads as or more rapidly than Delta 4/
More educated guesses to make near term decisions by.
-Assume Omicron may outcompete Delta & if there is no cross-immunity, it can spread even where it doesn’t
-Monoclonals will need to be retargeted
-PCR, antigen tests & the new Pfizer drug therapy continue to work 5/
-Assume Omicron may outcompete Delta & if there is no cross-immunity, it can spread even where it doesn’t
-Monoclonals will need to be retargeted
-PCR, antigen tests & the new Pfizer drug therapy continue to work 5/
3. Push boosters aggressively.
A number of scientists say that boosters are likely to provide additional protection against Omicron. Even before we know how much benefit, we should act now to boost everyone possible. 6/
A number of scientists say that boosters are likely to provide additional protection against Omicron. Even before we know how much benefit, we should act now to boost everyone possible. 6/
4. Unvaccinated should use this as a chance to reconsider.
Already skeptical people may turn more skeptical. But they shouldn’t. Against an even more rapidly spreading virus, if your risk of hospitalization were cut by even 50-75%, you should do it.
7/
Already skeptical people may turn more skeptical. But they shouldn’t. Against an even more rapidly spreading virus, if your risk of hospitalization were cut by even 50-75%, you should do it.
7/
But it is critical that vaccination isn’t talked about as the only answer even if it’s an important one.
One reason why people are skeptical is prior talk from many (including me at times) that vaccines are a panacea. It’s enough that it’s a great tool. But we need others. 8/
One reason why people are skeptical is prior talk from many (including me at times) that vaccines are a panacea. It’s enough that it’s a great tool. But we need others. 8/
5. Speaking of others— Rapidly scale up purchase & production of at-home antigen tests & Pfizer & Merck anti-virals.
Six months from now if every American had access to instant tests & a Rx for a highly effective therapy, it would ease concerns a great deal. 9/
Six months from now if every American had access to instant tests & a Rx for a highly effective therapy, it would ease concerns a great deal. 9/
These therapies require very quick response so frequent and much cheaper testing is needed. And while new boosters are tested we are likely to need many more therapies. 10/
6. Start treating COVID as a global problem not a personal threat.
Shower resources on hot spot countries including vaccines & boosters, tests & therapies. Until it matters “there” as much as it matters “here”, our chances of beating this are low. 11/
Shower resources on hot spot countries including vaccines & boosters, tests & therapies. Until it matters “there” as much as it matters “here”, our chances of beating this are low. 11/
The US is now sending an average of over 3 million vaccines overseas every day. The G20 needs to reciprocate & act to help get these vaccines in arms whenever needed. 12/
7. Portable ventilators, ventilated spaces & high quality well-fitting masks are our FRIENDS, not an assault on our freedoms.
Let’s stop fighting our friends and enabling our foe. 13/
Let’s stop fighting our friends and enabling our foe. 13/
8/ Those who went to great lengths to prevent schools & localities from requiring masks should reverse course.
With rapidly spreading viruses what starts in a school or bar quickly lands in a nursing home. 14/
With rapidly spreading viruses what starts in a school or bar quickly lands in a nursing home. 14/
https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1465045755496996886
9/ Contingency planning.
The mRNA platform give us the capacity to adjust the vaccines to fit mutations. In the case that the virus’s mutations require changes to the vaccine, we can & should have those ready. 15/
The mRNA platform give us the capacity to adjust the vaccines to fit mutations. In the case that the virus’s mutations require changes to the vaccine, we can & should have those ready. 15/
10/ “This is a source of concern, but not panic.”
The president said this in his remarks today. And that’s right. We have tools, we have preparation, & we are not going back to Square 1. 16/
The president said this in his remarks today. And that’s right. We have tools, we have preparation, & we are not going back to Square 1. 16/
These assumptions may not be the right ones. We should systematically & scientifically answer these questions as we have enough data.
But things which cause little disruption & have the potential to save lives if things get worse are steps we should never regret.
/end
But things which cause little disruption & have the potential to save lives if things get worse are steps we should never regret.
/end
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