Thread by @DrJayVarma

In the age of #Omicron, we have a more transmissible virus and waning public resolve to reduce human contact. For the US, a large number of infections is now inevitable. A large number of hospitalizations and deaths is optional. /1

nytimes.com/2021/12/20/opi…

Elected officials must adopt vaccine-first policies, because a layer of vaccine-derived immunity is the safest, most durable & effective way to avert mass hospitalization and death. But vaccines-first is not vaccines only. /2

We need additional layers of protection (masks, testing, ventilation) & intensive government coordination and support, particularly focused on hospitals, congregate settings, & schools. This is crucial, because vaccines take time to work & Omicron moves faster than humans do /3

In large swaths of country, however, elected officials have accepted mass hospitalization and death as inevitable. Sadly, individuals have no choice but to try to protect themselves. Hospitals, nursing homes, & schools risk complete collapse from ill and absent personnel. /4