Thinking about COVID-19 and the future
I hoped to return to work in a society where Covid-19 was not being passed around in large amounts. Well, we’re not gonna reach herd immunity because of the large unvaccinated population. At this point, Covid-19 looks like it will become endemic (always with us).
The “Freedom” I Want Is To Not Be Infected By You
I believe in personal rights and freedom. I also believe that exercising your right to make your own health choices should not infringe on the rights of others to be protected from a deadly virus.
France, Italy, Israel, Germany are all implementing or contemplating rules like: Vaccine passport mandatory in all cultural venues, including cinemas, theaters, and concert halls. Also mandatory in cafes, shops, restaurants.
As one whose profession is practiced in cultural venues and restaurants, I like this idea.
As soon as the FDA grants full approval to one or more of the shots, the USA could also see vaccine mandates.
Your employer, college, school, or favorite venue can and should require vaccinations as a condition of entry. The only other option would be a daily negative test.
Yes, the politics of this are hard, but people dying preventable deaths is worse, as is re-tanking the economy.
More Innoculation Talk
Jennifer Rubin, WaPo, Opinion: Enough already. It’s time for vaccine entry passes.
To the detriment of those who behaved responsibly by getting the vaccine and those who are still unprotected (e.g., young children), we have indulged the willfully reckless vaccine deniers for far too long.
If deniers want to ignore science and endanger themselves, they can do so at home, outside or at private establishments that do not care to require proof of vaccination. The rest of us deserve to enjoy reopened communities and the peace of mind that comes from living in a country where virtually every covid-19 death or hospitalization is now preventable.
Tammy C. Barney, Louisiana Illuminator, Commentary: Louisiana (and every other state) needs to impose mask mandates now
Based on the current COVID cases, it is time for tough love. Mask mandates must be reinstituted (or in some cases instituted) across the country. Governments and businesses should follow the National Football League’s lead and require employees to get vaccinated. Vaccinations also should be required for employees and students at schools (12 years and older) and at universities.
Vaccines are still the best way to protect ourselves against the novel coronavirus and its Delta variant. If the government has to institute mandates to get shots in arms and folks to wear masks, so be it. All the personal rights in the world won’t matter if you are dead.
Questions and Answers
“People who got vaccinated are still catching COVID”
People with a helmet on still get hurt playing linebacker, man, but try playing without one.
“Vaccine passport? You can’t do that!”
From banning smoking in businesses, to forcing drivers and passengers to wear seat belts, to prohibiting texting while driving, governments have never had a problem passing laws to protect residents from themselves.
“mRNA is too new to trust.”
No, it’s not. It’s been studied for the better part of 30 years going back to the early 90’s. Here’s an article from eleven years ago talking about it: “The Miracle of microRNA” Sep 29, 2010
“What about side effects from the vaccine?”
Experts Confident About COVID Vaccines’ Long-Term Safety
“I know of no precedent of a long-term effect that comes up 5 or 10 years later,” expert says.
Almost always, side effects of vaccines being tested are revealed within two months, which is why the FDA required two months of data before giving emergency approval.
Current situation: $$$ over safety
New York Times, How to Reopen a Festival City When a Virus Lurks: Very Anxiously
Bethany Bultman, the head of the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic, worries that too many in the city are prioritizing the social lives of “unmasked, unvaccinated hordes of walking wallets” over the lives of her clients.
Looking at Breakthrough Cases
Ben Guarino, WaPo, You got a coronavirus vaccine. But you still became infected. How did that happen?
The FDA-authorized coronavirus vaccines are exceptionally protective — but they’re not perfect.
Susan Matthews, Slate, What vaccinated people should really know about their risk from the delta variant.
Living with endemic Covid-19
John M. Barry, WaPo, Opinion: What history tells us about the delta variant — and the variants that will follow
Will it become more virulent — causing more serious disease and death?
Will the virus escape the protection natural immunity and vaccines now afford?
In the best case, delta will be the most dangerous variant to emerge, our immune systems will learn to respond, trained by vaccines or infection, and we will achieve the Holy Grail of a kind of herd immunity. This will still not mean actual immunity; it will simply mean the disease becomes endemic, and infections and deaths will continue to occur, but in much reduced numbers. Meanwhile, for at least a year — and likely longer — the vast majority of the world will continue to see significant mortality and social and economic disruption.
The pandemic isn’t over, not even for those who are vaccinated. The virus remains the boss. Covid-19 may still surprise us, and if it does, at this still middle-aged stage of the pandemic, it’s more likely to be an unpleasant surprise.
Katherine S. Xue, New Yorker, Coexisting with the Coronavirus
What will it be like to live with endemic COVID? Our future with the virus will depend on the strength of our immune memories. What we know and what we still have to learn about COVID immunity.
A side-effect to truly be worried about: “Long Covid”
Forbes: Could You Have Long Covid? Here Are The Common Signs And Symptoms
There are many patients who have long-term health consequences after Covid-19 illness.
General symptoms: fatigue, difficulty sleeping, altered mood
Lungs: shortness of breath, cough, chest pain
Heart: pounding heart, rapid heartbeat, dizziness after standing
Nervous System: “brain fog” (i.e. difficulty thinking or concentrating), headache, feelings of pins and needles, altered smell or taste
Gastrointestinal: diarrhea, abdominal pain
Editorial Cartoon from 1934
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