Coronavirus in Massachusetts (slums, how much, versus)

[jtolpin]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

That's a bit irresponsible, especially considering that SC is one of the "no mask mandate" states, and from what I hear anecdotally (one of my colleagues WFH there), there is a very cavalier attitude in public.

I agree, sure.

But also, my wife is flying down to SC from MA in late April. Go figure.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by jtolpin

I agree, sure.

But also, my wife is flying down to SC from MA in late April. Go figure.

Hopefully she's vaccinated by then...because don't expect any personal responsibility or mask enforcement in stores (even if they require it).

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by redplum33

Because it is known that it spreads easier.

I don't agree with the logic. We have rapidly increasing vaccination rates for vaccines which lower the severity of the infection for new variants including the UK/Kent variant. We also have data showing the UK/Kent variant has little or no health impact on children and young adults.

While the data is incomplete, we know enough to suggest the presence of the UK/Kent variant in MA means higher infection risk, but anything beyond that is speculative fear mongering.

The idea that it is/was "50-70% more deadly" was not really based on any clinical data. It was speculation based on the known higher spread and the possibility that vaccines are less effective and/or infections are more severe. To my knowledge, there's no clinical data supporting the latter.

[massnative71]

The UK variant is probably the least of our concerns at this point.

[redplum33]

~10% of the MA population is fully vaccinated.

Shrewsburried, that means 9 out of every 10 people aren't.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by redplum33

~10% of the MA population is fully vaccinated.

Shrewsburried, that means 9 out of every 10 people aren't.

As I stated, you need to know who has been vaccinated. The 70+ demographic represents ~12% of population and the overwhelming majority of the deaths and hospitalizations. If the bulk of them are vaccinated, that should significantly drive down future hospitalizations and deaths. Given that they are the current priority, it stands to reason they are a large chunk of the 10% already vaccinated.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

As I stated, you need to know who has been vaccinated. The 70+ demographic represents ~12% of population and the overwhelming majority of the deaths and hospitalizations. If the bulk of them are vaccinated, that should significantly drive down future hospitalizations and deaths. Given that they are the current priority, it stands to reason they are a large chunk of the 10% already vaccinated.

You are overlooking possible mutations. The more it spreads, the higher the chance for mutations.

Bottom line: There is a rapidly spreading variant out there. None of us know where this is going, but it seems obvious that it's a poor idea to stop taking precautions at the current time.

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

As I stated, you need to know who has been vaccinated. The 70+ demographic represents ~12% of population and the overwhelming majority of the deaths and hospitalizations. If the bulk of them are vaccinated, that should significantly drive down future hospitalizations and deaths. Given that they are the current priority, it stands to reason they are a large chunk of the 10% already vaccinated.

Last week they said about 600k (of my estimate of 1.5 million) 65+ had gotten one shot.

[mdovell]

Way back when I argued for immunization rather than herd immunity because once we start to get mutations it can make this harder. Right now we're trying to balance these three

Those that are/were infected. This should be going down

Those that are immunized. This should be going up

Those that aren't. This should be going down due to vaccines

Can some get it twice? What about the variants? The variants are an issue because if it keeps mutating and keeps making new variants it might mean more booster shots which makes the whole vaccine passport harder to judge.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by redplum33

You are overlooking possible mutations. The more it spreads, the higher the chance for mutations.

Bottom line: There is a rapidly spreading variant out there. None of us know where this is going, but it seems obvious that it's a poor idea to stop taking precautions at the current time.

You're also assuming that the mRNA vaccines don't work against the variants. They were not studied that way, of course, but this is pure speculation. According to many experts those vaccines are expected to have some efficacy...maybe not 95%...against the UK & South Africa variants.