Thread by @Laurie_Garrett

There is so much to talk about today. As #Omicron spreads across #NYC like a summer wildfire in California, it seems clear #vaccination offers little protection against infection, but plenty against severe disease. Thanks to the great folks @HKUniversity we know --
MORE

2/ (cont) that #Omicron infects & reproduces in cells of the bronchus and upper airways. The individual may feel fine, but have billions of viruses that constantly expel as they breathe & talk -- infecting others. If they are #vaccinated fully, individuals mount immune --
MORE

3/-- responses that block #Omicron from penetrating alveoli deep in the lungs, causing pneumonia. They remain ambulatory, vaguely "off" but able to see friends, go to the store, dine out -- spreading virus all of the while. So the #vaccines are a clinical triumph, but --
MORE

4/ -- a public health nightmare. If you don't wear your mask😷 -- properly, fitting tightly around ALL of your nose👃🏼 & mouth👄 -- you may be a Christmas☃️ super-spreader. #Omicron is THAT contagious. So here's a helpful tip for spreading Christmas🎅🏼🎄 joy, not virus --
MORE

5/For a #MerryChristmas🎅🏼🎄& #HappyNewYear 🎇:
- Stay home & minimize your socializing
- If you travel or party, wear a K95/N95 mask TO PROTECT OTHERS from #SARSCoV2 that you may carry
- Think of the #COVID19 #vaccines as clinical safety, preventing pneumonia, but...
MORE

6/
- Think of masks as your #vaccine-like barrier, blocking #Omicron & keeping you from passing it to others, espec loved ones💕
- This Holiday Season🎄 toss individualism in the trash🗑️
- Give thought to all around you, friends & strangers
- Laugh🤣 sing😗 BUT thru your mask😷

7/ My Happy Holidays🎄🎅🏼🎇☃️ Take-Home Message
Individualism -- bad👎🏼
Family and community -- good🎅🏼👍🏼
Vaccines -- good medicine, mediocre infection-blockers💉
Masks -- pro-family, pro-community, pro-public health😷
Mask-refusal -- me-first, anti-community, anti-family, Scrooge