A thread about vaccines and why vaccinated people are catching COVID-
The vaccines that were developed were against the original (alpha) strain of the virus that causes COVID-19. Unfortunately, by the time we ramped up vaccination efforts, a mutated strain (delta) took over…
Luckily we found that the vaccines still worked pretty well against delta, and the overwhelming majority of breakthrough infections (vaccinated people that still got sick) were not severe and did not cause hospitalization or death…
Things were going well until data from other countries suggested that immunity seemed to drop a bit over a time, but boosters could “re-up” that immunity. Things were improving, and then in walks omicron…a variant with over 50 mutations (viruses are really good at mutating) 😱..
And with the variant came even more breakthrough infections as the virus created enough mutations to sneak past your antibodies created by the vaccine (AND those created from catching COVID). But the good news— the antibodies are strong enough to make most cases pretty mild! …
This super mutated version of COVID mutated so much that it is now SUPER contagious! This means the unvaccinated (which includes some children who do not have a choice or who are still too young to be vaxxed) and the immunocompromised, are at super high risk of catching COVID….
And while a lot of data is pointing to this being mild for the vaxxed, we do not have enough info on long term effects (long-COVID) in the vaxxed. And we still have a significant portion of people (GA is barely 50% fully vaxxed) that are vulnerable to hospitalization/death…
So what now…
If you have been around someone who tests positive for COVID, assume you have it (even if you are vaxxed/boosted). This is a pretty safe assumption given how contagious the variant is. And govern yourself accordingly. Get tested. Stay masked. Stay home!…
If you can get your hands on a home test, take the test. If it is negative but you have been exposed, please mask in public and avoid situations where you would unmask (like eating indoors). If it is negative but you have cold symptoms, you probably just tested too early…
If you have the sniffles, a scratchy throat, fever, chills, headache, or a cough, you more than likely have COVID (even if you get a negative home test at first). Sometimes the tests can’t “see” the virus yet even though it’s there. Stay home and test again in a day or two…
You should isolate for at least 10 days, especially if you have symptoms. Yes, I know the CDC changed their guidance to 5 days followed by masking for the second 5 days, but if you are symptomatic, you need to isolate! Period! This is the best way to protect the vulnerable…
Also, while in public, you really need a good mask! N95, KN95, KF94, double mask w/ surgical + cloth, or surgical w/ tie knot method. You never know who you will encounter, so let’s care for others as we get through this surge...
And yes, it is still a good idea to get vaccinated! If the original strain of this virus had been as contagious as this current strain, the outcomes would have been devastating. Vaccines are how we protect ourselves, others, and our hospitals!
This omicron wave is frustrating to say the least because it’s taking no prisoners (which is super frustrating for those who have been “doing it right”). Let’s get through this by continuing to take precautions and doing ALL we can to stop the spread. #endthread
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The Jim Crow 2.0 Election Law was not a response to “voter fraud” because there was no such fraud. It was a response to increased usage of absentee ballots, popularity of ballot drop boxes, a historical turn out in the runoff, and the refusal of the SOS to cheat. #🧵1/ #gapol
In the 2020 election, in response to the pandemic, many voters learned they could vote from home via absentee ballots. This wasn’t new. It was a GOP “hidden gem” that they have used for GOTV for 15 years. Jim Crow 2.0 now limits it! 2/
Absentee dropboxes were extremely popular in 2020 because it allows voters to vote from home, and then turn in their ballot in a secure drop box at their convenience instead of fiddling with stamps and USPS. Jim Crow 2.0 limits access to these boxes! 3/
Drama unfolded in the House chamber today when a member of the State House refused to follow the same rules every other member is following, and get his FREE COVID test. Testing is set up at the Capitol for all members and staff to reduce spread so we can get to work! #gapol
At what point to these publicity stunts and media thirst traps go too far? There are 180 members of the State House, many who are in the high risk category, and there is a new, more contagious strain of COVID-19. Does he need to kill a colleague to care? #gapol
And to his point about teachers and first responders— no one would argue, including them, that being tested often and keeping people home that are sick, would not be a great idea! His take on this is just odd. #gapol
The GOP literally WROTE THE RULES on absentee voting in GA. The same GOP that all of a sudden thinks the rules are bad. See...when the GOP was using these rules to drive up Republican turnout it was all good. “It was all fun until the rabbit got the gun” 🤷🏾♀️ 1/4 #2020Election
In 2018 and then, again, in 2020 GA Democrats (Stacey Abrams) decided to use the same tools that Republicans had been using all along. We didn’t change the rules. We just switched the strategy— a strategy that was already being employed by the GOP for years. 2/5
We have LONG way to go to peel back the voter suppression and disenfranchisement that has taken place in GA over the years, but this election showed exactly what happens when we empower the voters that normally face many obstacles in the voting process. 3/5
Institutions that are in place to protect and serve the community have allowed individuals under their purview to terrorize and kill with impunity. (1/10)
The reaction when there has been a clear violation of a Black American’s civil rights or a blatant miscarriage of justice = “let’s wait and see.” (2/10)
And often as we wait, it happens again. And when it’s finally time for justice to be served, nothing happens. No one is accountable. Violators are able to go about their life, after callously taking someone else’s away. (3/10)