Thread by @VincentRK

Cases in Spain have now exceeded the US.

Why is this important? Spain is one of the best vaccinated countries in Europe: 80% fully vaccinated.

The US is only 60% fully vaccinated. UK is 70%.
It's a warning.
1/

The sharp rise in cases in Spain shows omicron can easily cause post vaccine breakthrough infections. Deaths are lower suggesting vaccines do protect against severe disease.
2/

Note that the lower deaths may be also partially due to a lag in cases and deaths. But there is no question omicron will stress out an already stressed out healthcare system.

People who need care for their illnesses won't get the care they need if hospitals are overwhelmed.
3/

Omicron may also cause other health problems. We don't know enough yet.

What we know is that we cannot be complacent that omicron is milder.
4/

https://twitter.com/vincentrk/status/1468951762581082120

What can we do?

-Continue precautions including masks, distancing, ventilation. Don't be complacent.

-Get your 3rd vaccine dose. Only 25% in Spain have received a booster. 20% in the US

-Rapid tests. Having a good supply in each home, and easy testing will reduce spread.
5/

Policy makers should really pay a close attention to other countries. Covid is affecting different parts of the world at different calendar times. There are lessons each country can learn from what's happening in another.

Be quick to adopt policies. Don't wait for perfect data.

We have been late on many things during this pandemic: on masks, approving and distributing rapid tests, on boosters. I hope we are quicker with decisions this time around.

For example, Israel made a brilliant early call on boosters that surely saved a lot of lives.

https://twitter.com/VincentRK/status/1460623623203524614