Unvaxxed numbers down, but not enough
Employer rules appear to be persuasive but 30% remain unprotected; cases up as restrictions down; USA tally rising to 800,000 dead before year's end
As many of us get ready for Thanksgiving, there’s much to be thankful for, and much to wish for as the holidays approach. And there’s news that impacts the direction of the pandemic, too. Useful info, as well, like a new ventilation calculator tool to help set up safer spaces as guests visit. We are still losing too many of our neighbors to what is now a preventable disease. Please, we must do better.
Here’s my quick take:
Vaccine requirements boost vaccination rates across sectors
As vaccine requirements take effect, millions more people are getting vaccinated against COVID-19, according to multiple reports from private employers and across the federal government. The White House says 92% of federal executive branch employees have received at least their first COVID-19 vaccination as of November 23, the day after the deadline for compliance. The pace of new vaccinations is over 1 million per day, a rate not seen since before July 4.
The Department of Agriculture is at the low end, with 86% agency-wide personnel vaccinated. At the high end are the Agency for International Development at 98% vaccinated and the National Science Foundation, Department of Health and Human Services and Department of State at 96%.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky noted on Monday how different this Thanksgiving is from last year. Vaccines and all that we have learned about how to prevent COVID-19 from spreading mean that we can see family and friends safely.
Unfortunately, the remarkable number of unvaccinated and others who refuse to observe COVID-19 precautions makes everything harder. This has been the story all year, and the results are coming into full view. The latest CDC data show the unvaccinated are 12 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who are vaccinated.
To help keep spaces safer, the CDC just published guidelines on how to improve air flow inside homes and launched a new interactive calculator to help improve ventilation, which can reduce COVID-19 risk indoors.
Rising cases test health system again
The USA is approaching 800,000 deaths from COVID-19, continuing the outpace the world on COVID-19 deaths. This is all while we have an abundant supply of safe, effective vaccines that are available for free at around 80,000 locations throughout the nation.
In Massachusetts and other states, rising new cases of COVID-19 — almost entirely among unvaccinated individuals — are testing the limits of hospitals and other parts of our health care system. Some hospitals are again restricting scheduled surgeries. Some hospitals in Colorado, Idaho and New Mexico have had to activate “crisis standards of care,” meaning that some critically ill patients won’t get treated because the hospitals are full.
How booster announcement got murky
Axios has a report that explains the debate and confusion that contributed to the mixed messages about booster shots. There are lessons to learn for the future here.
My friend Paul Thacker penned an investigative article in BMJ raising concerns about some of the data used in the Pfizer vaccine clinical studies.
With more genetic and other information available, an article in Science explains why more evidence points to animals at a Wuhan market as the source of COVID-19.
ICYMI: Last week’s edition included my thoughts about how to stay safe during the holidays and beyond.
And if you are flying, keep your mask on while others are eating.
Thank you for reading and subscribing. Have a good holiday.