Though it looks like as a whole we are coming out on the other side of the pandemic, COVID-19 remains a significant issue. Conspiracy theorists and lay people with degrees in virology, immunology, and epidemiology from Google University have not slowed down either. I continue to be stumped as to how people can so easily deny the reality that is evident before their very own eyes. Because it has been a while since I’ve addressed Covid, this article will play catchup on the changes that have occurred over the last 6 months.
1. VACCINES!
The most important development since December is undoubtedly the three COVID-19 vaccines that have made their way through America. The rollout itself has gone fairly well, with 154 million people fully vaccinated, which is 46% of the total population. Over 77% of people age 65 and older are fully vaccinated.
Post-marketing research has shown these vaccines to be exceedingly safe and effective. After vaccine rollouts began, a corresponding decrease in cases in the US was seen. Cases in unvaccinated people, however, are increasing.
In other good news, a recent study from Washington University in St. Louis seems to show that immunity from the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) may persist for years, meaning no booster may be necessary.
2. Changes in Who It Affects
In my personal experience at the Lake, the ICU is full once again of COVID+ patients, ALL of whom are UNVACCINATED. There has also been a shift from mostly elderly patients to much younger patients. This makes sense, since ¾ of elderly patients are vaccinated.
3. Variants
The more virulent strains are becoming more and more prevalent. So far, all research has shown that our current vaccines are still effective against these variants. However, at least one treatment (bamlanivimab/etesevimab) is not effective against the new strains and has been removed from the market.
4. Treatments
It’s no longer a huge guessing game with COVID-19. We have a pretty good idea now of how to treat it. We still don’t have a lot of great options, but do have several useful tools to work with. When someone is diagnosed, an antibody infusion (casirivimab/imdevimab) helps reduce their risk of hospitalization. Remdesivir may also help early on in the first 7 days of the disease. Once the illness progresses dexamethasone has been shown to reduce mortality. With that said, none of these are as sure of a thing as getting the vaccine.
5. Masks/Social Distancing
We would be back to normal 100% (except for the 600,000+ Americans dead from Covid) if everyone was vaccinated, but the fact remains that many are not. Data has shown that vaccinated people are largely safe to go unmasked and can resume essentially regular activity. Caution is still advised, as breakthrough cases can happen, and though the vaccine has a very high rate of protection against hospitalization, you could still get sick and spread it to someone who is not vaccinated.
Unvaccinated people should absolutely be wearing masks and social distancing. Infection rates are very high right now in the unvaccinated, and masks have been proven to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus as well as your risk of dying. However, this has become such a political issue that no amount of science will convince anyone who is already against masks.
6. Economy
Things are starting to recover. We are seeing “price pops” or mini-bubbles due to a surge in demand from the economy starting back up. Things are never as smooth as they are in a textbook economy; it takes time for businesses to expand production, hire workers, distribute product, fill backorders, etc. These temporary shortages cause these increases in price that are being blamed on the COVID stimulus and unemployment. To some extent, this has stimulated demand, but the root of the problem is a slow start of the supply chain.
A poorly recognized cause as well of the labor shortages is the toll of the coronavirus itself. We are a global economy with global supply chains, and worldwide there have been almost 4 million deaths from Covid. Looking at Excess deaths, meaning the number of people who died above and beyond the average number of deaths, the number approaches 7 million or more. That is a huge chunk of global economy that just simply isn’t there to show up for work anymore. Couple this with the face that many people are still scared to go back to work, it’s no surprise we’re having issues. It will get better, but it will take time.
The number one thing you can do to help the economy get back on track is to get vaccinated.
Another economic issue is that people are simply not going back to work. They are pursuing new careers or moving across the country. I myself am one of these people, starting a new line of work next month. However, which every new worker comes huge business costs in training and lost productivity, and this also helps account for the turmoil as of late. This too shall pass.
7. Tourism and Travel
Tourism has picked up as vaccination rates increase. Some areas, like the Lake of the Ozarks, are being pummeled by COVID-19, but continue to operate as if nothing is wrong with extremely low vaccination rates and no vaccine requirements for travel. Camden County has about a 20% vaccination rate and ranks in the highest category for community transmission.
Local leaders throughout Missouri have failed. Right now, if you look at the transmission maps, it can be read as the equivalent of how anti-mask and anti-vaccine the community is. Meanwhile, journalists are failing their community with hideously disgraceful editorials such as this one from the Lake Expo.
But, please, if you’re vaccinated, go enjoy the summer safely. You deserve it and the economy needs it.
Summary
It certainly feels like we have turned a corner with COVID-19, but in reality it is not over yet. We have 50% of Americans that still need to be vaccinated, an economy to guide into recovery, and an active surge in COVID hospitalizations, not to mention what is going on abroad. At this point, everyone knows someone who has died or been seriously affected by COVID-19, and the most important thing you can do is get vaccinated and talk with your family and friends about it as well. Even if you’ve had it already, the vaccine provides greater protection. They are safe and easy. If you can’t do that, at least wear your mask, if not for yourself, then for your grandmother or father. And remember, this has been a rough year for everyone. We all deserve a break. Be understanding and compassionate to each other during these difficult times.
Pingback: The Delta Rampage: Covid Part III – Zach's Take