A pandemic diary: Delta blues
July 9, 2021
It’s official: #CovidIsNotOver, not with that hashtag and the picture above suddenly trending on Twitter. I knew the pandemic was still with us, but am feeling whipsawed by the confusing information and “guidance” coming from everywhere, and suspect I’m not the only one. Let’s see if we have all this straight.
- The super-contagious Delta variant is now causing the majority (51.7% as of July 9) of U.S. cases.
- Cases and hospitalizations are both rising, especially where the vaccination rate is low. (Here in Georgia it’s only about 25% in some spots.)
- Studies in Israel indicate Pfizer vaccine is significantly less effective against Delta, even with two jabs.
- Other studies say that’s not so.
- Pfizer is working on a booster to counter the variant.
- The Department of Health and Human Services argues vaccinated folks don’t need boosters yet.
- The CDC says schools should fully reopen, and fully-vaccinated students and teachers don’t need masks inside buildings.
- There’s no vaccine for kids under 12. In some states, the rate for those 12–18 is abysmal. (2% last month in Alabama. That’s two, not 20.)
After sixteen months, it’s depressing to realize how much we still don’t know. It’s equally disheartening and infuriating to think how little we’re willing to do in the name of collective safety.
The CDC is not recommending that schools require vaccination for students and staff. What happens when an unmasked, Trump-loving, vax-hating teacher infects a classroom? Meanwhile, do we pause or reverse other reopenings, like dine-in restaurants, offices, theaters, bars, concert halls, museums, hair salons, gyms, bookstores, and life?
I’m okay with keeping my head down and my mask on a while longer. It’s still getting awfully damn old, friends. Take care and be safe.
More from the diary
Die hard, live longer
New story, new times
One small step for my face
Originally published at http://davesswan.wordpress.com on July 9, 2021.
