The Delta Variant Could Create "Two Americas" Of COVID, Experts Warn

[Budi]

The Delta Variant Could Create “Two Americas” Of COVID, Experts Warn

If you are fully vaccinated, you are most likely to be safe. But in parts of the US where few people have gotten COVID vaccine shots, the Delta variant could trigger renewed deadly surges.

Experts say we may be about to see the emergence of “two Americas” of COVID:


One with high rates of vaccination where the Delta coronavirus variant poses little threat, and the other with low levels of vaccination that will be vulnerable to renewed deadly surges.
That divide is driven in large part by partisan politics, with vaccination rates highest in liberal cities and lowest in conservative strongholds across the Deep South and in rural areas across the nation.

“I call it two COVID nations,” Peter Hotez, a vaccine researcher at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, told BuzzFeed News.

SNIP
According to a CBS News/YouGov poll published this week, only 52% of Republicans said they were partially or fully vaccinated, and 29% said they have no intention of getting a vaccine. Among Democrats, 77% said they were already vaccinated, and just 5% said they weren’t intending to get the shots.

Vaccine rollout data at the county level also shows a strong relationship to voting in the 2020 presidential election.

“Somehow we have to break this idea that allegiance to conservatism and the Republican Party has to do with not getting vaccinated,” Hotez said. “It’s really troubling.”
MORE... + Comments following the article. 👍

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/peteraldhous/delta-variant-vaccination-covid-surges#comments

[SoCalDavidS]

1. The More Of Them That Die, The Better

I know all about the problems the continued spread will bring, but the situation is what it is.

The best we can hope for at this point, is that the virus takes the majority of lives from the conservative anti-vax group.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. It is a self-inflicted wound

It is out of my hands.

There will be no herd immunity. It will be thinning the herd.

[Budi]

9. K & R

It's willfull ignorance. Like driving a car thu city traffic or speeding down a gravel road, their 1st time behind the wheel.

Its the asshole factor. Thinning the herd via their own obstinate stupidity, is just a fact of life.
So be it.

[wnylib]

42. Plus innocent bystanders.

There are people that the vaccine does not work for due to meds they need to take - cancer patients, some HIV positive people, transplant patients, and anyone with a condition that requires drugs that suppress the immune system. The immune systems of some seniors are not robust enough to produce adequate numbers of antibodies when the get vaccinated.

For people who get breakthrough infections, the ones with other health issues, i.e. diabetes and asthma, will be at greater risk of serious infections despite being vaccinated.

So, unfortunately, the anti vaxxers are not the only people who will be hurt as delta spreads. In communities with high rates of infection, hospitals might get overwhelmed so that people who are not infected but have a medical emergency might not be able to get treatment.

[SoCalDavidS]

60. I Know, But That's Unavoidable

NOTHING is going to get these MORONS who can get vaccinated, to do so.

This is just the only positive outcome possible.

I'm sorry for those who for legitimate reasons unable to get vaccinated. They need to wear masks forever if they want to be safe, thanks to those who could get it, but choose not to.

[wnylib]

67. I would like to see/hear some public service

announcements for people who are at risk even after vaccination. I want to hear Fauci give some practical advice regarding who might be vulnerable to breakthrough infections, e.g. seniors more than younger people. Remind people with underlying health issues that since no vaccine is 100% effective, they should continue to socially distance among strangers and wear a mask in places where social distancing is not possible. I am seeing people over 65 who have health issues going into restaurants and stores without masks because they feel completely safe after being vaccinated.

[liberal_mama]

83. A few days after CDC Director changed the mask guidelines, she tweeted that immune compromised

people might not have protection. It doesn't seem like many people saw that tweet.

A lot of people I know, like an elderly neighbor I chatted with yesterday, feel that they are completely safe to do everything without a mask now. She said, "It's over now." She is planning on going to a large wedding next weekend.

The CDC really needs to clarify this. However after reading the book, The Premonition: A Pandemic Story, I doubt they will. People are on their own to do their research and protect themselves now.

When I was at the grocery store a few days ago, I was somewhat surprised to see a lot of younger and middle aged people wearing masks and most of the elderly were maskless.

[wnylib]

85. I've noticed the same thing regarding age

and who is wearing masks.

I went to an outdoor farmer's market on Saturday. The booths are set close to each other and the space within them is small, so social distancing there is impossible. Only a few seniors wore masks. I saw more teens and young children wearing masks than adults.

Here in NY, Cuomo has announced that NY has reached 70% vaccination so nearly all restrictions are lifted. Masks are still required for public transportation, but in most businesses and organizations, the owners or managers are free to set their own standards.

The last figures on the delta variant in NY state showed that it is 17% of new infections. Since that number doubles every two weeks, it is no doubt higher now.

EDIT: The 70% vaccination figure for NY is a statewide one. It varies by region withn tje state. In my area, the rate is around 50%. In some rural areas it is even lower.

[OhioChick]

98. +1000 n/t

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. Yes, stupidity is its own reward. . . . nt

[TheBlackAdder]

66. Is it Creating Two Americas or Revealling Two Americas? One smart and the other stoopid.

[bamagal62]

4. Exactly. I don't really care

about them any longer. It’s their choice. Go for it.

[Jerry2144]

19. I sort of agree but

Viruses mutate. If there is a big enough pool of unvaccinated (either through stupidity or legitimate medical reasons) then the virus will continue to live and mutate. At some time it could easily gain a mutation which negates the value of the current mRNA vaccines and affect the vaccinated. Granted, mRNA vaccines can be quickly developed as opposed to flu vaccines grown in eggs.

Still, those people who refuse to get vaccinated through stupidity have friends and family members who do not deserve to be infected and die or who love those idiots and will feel their loss.

Let's not wish pain and misery on anyone and try to do what we can to save humanity from this and all those other self-inflicted problems. Try to convince them to vaccinate. IF not, then just avoid them. Social distancing and masks will remain for a long time, I suspect. Until we cure the cancer of Conservatism and White Evangelical/Tallibanic christianity.

[Politicub]

50. I'm for sanctions for those who don't have a real, verifiable reason to avoid vaccination.

We’re in a pandemic. It’s long past time for coddling anti-vaxers.

No one is arguing about the damage that the unvaccinated can do to the vulnerable. Science and persuasive medical arguments are not working on the ideological unvaccinated.

I say that the unvaccinated (unless it’s the sliver of society that cannot be vaccinated) should be shunned until they decide to rejoin American life.

[Yavin4]

55. "Social distancing and masks will remain for a long time, I suspect. "

Sorry. I am not doing that just because some Q followers won't take the vaccine. I'm not throwing away my quality of life for anyone. I will not do it.

Last year was particularly hard on my mental health, but I soldiered through it without complaint. I've been fully vaxxed since April, and I am returning to my normal life and habits sans mask and social distancing.

[TheFarseer]

71. Totally agree. nt

[kimbutgar]

5. I agree

I can’t help think those magas who refuse to get the vaccine might not be around or too sick to vote in 2022 or experience grief from the death or disability of a family member from Covid 19.

[nolabear]

33. My God.

[newdayneeded]

62. Don't be so shocked!

Listen, I understand the post sounds harsh, but the vaccines are everywhere, and available anytime. This is just stupid repub idealogic that keeps them from being safe. I absolutely can't feel sorry for them if they get sick. I do however feel for individuals who can't the vaccines because of a medication clash.

[Thomas Hurt]

3. The christofascists choose to test their God and then proclaim it is faith...let them.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

16. But doG says "I sent you masks & epidemiologists & 3 vaccines. You didn't need more than that." . nt

[oldsoftie]

34. EXACTLY!!!

[SheltieLover]

6. Thx, Budi.

Pls don't let your guard down!

CDC has stopped counting breakthrough infections!

Pls read #34:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=15541786

[liberal_mama]

11. The CDC should disclose breakthrough infections. It doesn't inspire confidence when they are hiding

this information. In my county, our health department said 10% of the new cases have been in fully vaccinated people. They also said that only 20% of these breakthrough cases were asymptomatic, which leads me to believe there are a lot more breakthrough infections out there.

[SheltieLover]

12. CDC absolutely should track & report accurately!

What country are you in, if I may ask?

Pls see #34 here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=15541786

[CrispyQ]

13. Getting people to mask up again is going to be harder than before. -nt

[SheltieLover]

21. Imho, CDC saying masks not needed if fully vaxed was a mistake

But they didn't ask my opinion.

I continue to wear mine.

[Meowmee]

40. Big mistake

As I said at the time and was attacked for it. Anyone vaccinated who thinks they are fully protected is wrong. We are still masking and sd and we will for a long time. All doctors offices, hospitals etc. and many other places are still requiring masks and sd, that should tell you something. We won’t know what real breakthrough statistics are now due to only cases requiring hospital care and or resulting in deaths will be reported/published. Due to this mistake new variants may develop.

[SheltieLover]

44. And delta is no slouch, sadly!

Pls read #34 here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=15541193

Same here - no change in behavior & not giving up masks anytime soon!

[Meowmee]

51. Yes delta is already spreading fast

And is more contagious and more deadly according to what I have read so far. We will not be stopping masking and sd any time soon.

[SheltieLover]

78. Me either, Meow!

[liberal_mama]

45. Last week, my doctor told me that he felt the new CDC guidelines on masking were a terrible mistake

He said he is still wearing his mask everywhere and social distancing.

[Meowmee]

48. Good for him

I know many docs agree with me as well, my hematologist for one. He was also the first to tell me to mask at the start and gave me some masks. I am not taking any chances on another covid infection. I am a long hauler and so is my dad, his health has been destroyed by it in January. Before he could be vaccinated and I had it early in last spring exposed by my students.

[SheltieLover]

81. Sorry to hear you are both long-hauling

I hope you both get better!

I agree docs who encourage masking & other protective measures are the only ones behaving ethically & responsibly.

At best, the vaccines are an amazing 94% effective. I don't want to be a etatistic in the 6% column, though I think the efficacy will be proven a bit lower against delta.

I read a Motley Fool article last night stating Pfizer is 79% effective against Delta.

Too many unknowns for me. One thing we do know: it's not over. So mask I will.

[Meowmee]

87. Thanks

My father is much much worse than me sadly but he is getting tavr surgery soon barring anymore disasters and it will hopefully help improve some of his issues. I am going to get more testing soon to see why some of my issues have not resolved a year and a half later. My weird back pain is not gone but, knock on wood, has gotten a smidge better the past month. I have hair loss now too the past few months, ugh.

Totally agree with you on delta, I read 88% a month ago or so but I think it will be worse. Yep the issue is if you are one of the unlucky bt infections it does not matter how rare it is. I am glad you are doing everything you can to be as safe as possible. 😀

[SheltieLover]

91. Glad to hear your back pain is improving!

Hair loss too from covid? Good gawd. So sorry to hear.

Does doctor know what is causing these symptoms?

[Meowmee]

94. Thnx

No, no one knows, i have not gone to a doc about it since the pneumonia really with everything my father more recently as well it is hard. but I mentioned it to some of course and my gp knew at the time and said it was from covid. Hair loss, derm said it is part te from covid and part hormonal. Many other women are also having hair loss from covid too.

[SheltieLover]

95. Yw!

There are so many folks suffering with long-haul.

So sorry you & dad are among them.

Weird about hair loss, isn't it?

Hoping it will improve & let you live your life soon!

[SheltieLover]

79. I just cannot fathom their reasoning

I prefer to err on the side of caution.

I'll be completely restocking my pandemic canned food supply & t paper today.

[LisaL]

80. Yep, I don't understand it either.

We know variants are spreading, we know delta is more infectious and more deadly than original covid.
We know large number of people remain un-vaccinated, and vaccines are not 100 % effective.
Given that, why drop mask mandates?

[liberal_mama]

82. Me too. I told my son that I need to restock my canned goods and freezer soon

I also just bought a bunch more good masks.

I recently read a good book called "The Premonition: A Pandemic Story" which really opened my eyes to the CDC. It was pretty terrifying.

[SheltieLover]

47. Pls also read #11 abbove

[Meowmee]

52. Yes I read at the time of the new mask decision

That all bt cases will not be reported now. I did read at the site that they are still being researched and may be reported at some point, but who knows how thorough it will be and when, they need to be reported in realtime. It seems as my brother said they have simply given up on any attempts to stop variants etc. We are in for a whole series of never ending boosters etc. The smart will continue to mask and sd. I listened to no mask in the beginning and am now a covid long hauler, never again.

[SheltieLover]

53. So sorry to hear you listened to bs!

I watch online news articles from overseas. When I saw Chinas viruses exploding & people scrambling for toilet paper, I bought small supply of 3M N-95 masks & a lot of tpaper & food, before it was a thing here.

I cannot for the life of me understand this most recent no mask needed statement. It's not like maskholes will get vax to not have to wear a mask.

[Meowmee]

54. Yes obviously I was not listening to anything dump said etc

Cdc and many others kept claiming that masks do not protect the wearer which is complete bs and had not advised masks early on. I saw some people start wearing them in stores early on before shutdown. After reading a study about it and my doc advising me to I began wearing them long before the cdc and everyone else reversed and advised it. But it was too late. I had already been exposed by my students in the beginning before we went to online learning and I had double covid pneumonia. The week my doc told me to I already had it but didn't know yet. It started with runs, fever and severe headache. He said from bw he didn’t think I had it, but I did. It just took longer to get to my respiratory system than average.

Yes I doubt very many have gotten vax due to the new policy.

We will always have a supply of kn95 now.

[Meowmee]

88. Yep pure craziness imo

Had I cancelled the last two weeks of classes and wore a mask it most likely would have been no covid for me. Had they really shut down and warned everyone in January or even earlier, stopped all travel early on and required everyone wear masks it would have been so much better, less deaths, less effects on the economy etc. and less variants to prolly.

[SheltieLover]

89. For sure!

So sorry you caught it!

I will never trust CDC again. Of course, I haven't for a long time.

[Meowmee]

90. Thanks

+ a lot 😹

[SheltieLover]

92. Yw, 🐯

Just horrible the way TFG handled this.

[LisaL]

73. I am not sure what cdc is doing here either.

Why did they declare that masks are not necessary? We still have low vaccination rates in many states, and delta is starting to spread in the US.

[Meowmee]

86. I think it was due to political pressure, the decision now,

And due to trying to incentivize unvaxed people maybe.

[OhioChick]

99. We don't even have enough people vaccinated to reach herd immunity....

Not to mention that children haven't even been vaccinated, yet.

[Yavin4]

57. The CDC made their mask announcement on May 13th and there's been no increase in hospitalizations

and deaths. In fact, those numbers continue to fall. We have not gotten reports about hospitals being overwhelmed either.

Around here, everyone said that we would see spikes after Memorial Day. Well, it's coming to a month later, and there are no spikes. Just declines.

[LisaL]

72. Delta is just starting to spread in the US.

Other countries where it's spreading see their cases increasing. It's going up in UK again.

[Yavin4]

75. We know that cases will surge among the unvaccinated so the real metrics are

hospitalizations and deaths. Those metrics are indeed ticking up again in the UK, but not surging to emergency levels. That's all due to their botching of the vaccine rollout.

To me the gold standard is Israel. They've almost completely vaccinated their population, and they've only had 6 deaths in the last 30 days. Zero deaths in the last 7 days.

Until there's strong evidence that the mutations can breakthrough the fully vaccinated, I will go about my life as I did before the pandemic. I do not have the luxury of giving any more of my time over to covid.

[LisaL]

76. I am also masking even though I am vaccinated fully.

We know that vaccines are not 100 % effective. So breakthrough infections are expected.
So I am not going to stop wearing masks while out in public.

[Crunchy Frog]

28. That's why I'm not giving up my masks anytime soon.

[yellowdogintexas]

39. neither are we. Also, my non-vaccinated in-laws are not allowed inside

our house. My husband requires them to come to the back door and we join them on the screened porch.


We have missed every family event since March 2020 because they are not careful and/or are not vaxed.
The only brother who is vaxed lives in Tennessee

My sisters and their spouses & kids are fully vaxed.

The groups I spend the most time with have high vax percentages; perhaps even 90%

I still wear a mask if I am going out to shop, or do other things around others. Texas is barely under 40% vaxed; taking no chances!!!

[wnylib]

46. In Erie County, NY (Buffalo area), 8% of cases

were breakthrough infections of fully vaccinated people, according to a recent report on Buffalo NPR. Not sure if that was 8% of all cases or 8% of delta cases. Delta is confirmed to be present in the area.

[LisaL]

56. That is to be expected, since vaccines are not 100 % effective.

Both Moderna and Pfizer are ~ 90 % effective, so 8% of all cases being break through infections sounds about right.

[wnylib]

65. It's a good reminder that no vaccine

is 100% effective. So some precautions are a good idea for seniors and people with underlying health conditions.

[LisaL]

77. Even young healthy people can die from delta.

NT

[wnylib]

84. Very true, but I was referring specifically

to breakthrough infections of any of the variants. While anybody can have a breakthrough infection, it is occurring more often among older people.

[SheltieLover]

93. I read Pfizer is 79% effective against Delta

Read yesterday at Motley Fool so, if accurate the % effective seems to be coming down. While still quite high, I don't want to be anobg that % to catch it.

Stay safe!

[wnylib]

96. I read the same figure for Pfizer

regarding the delta strain. I think Moderna (which is the one I received) was slightly less than 79%. Agree completely about not wanting to be among the % to catch it. I am still wearing a mask regardless of amused looks that I get from more confident prople.

[SheltieLover]

100. Same here, Wyn!

No way am I losing the mask anytime soon or returning to anything more social than grocery shopping.

I'm going later today to stock up on canned goods & t paper before delta hits hard.

I hope I'm wrong, but the experts keep saying it's going to get really ugly.

[wnylib]

101. I've been restocking, too.

Hope it turns out to be unnecessary, but I want to be prepared in case it is.

[SheltieLover]

102. Same here

It's not like the canned food & t paper is going to go to waste.

I'd much rather be prepared!

[SheltieLover]

103. Look at this

https://mobile.twitter.com/ABC/status/1406290053421277189

Already starting to back peddle...

[SheltieLover]

104. Check this out, Wyn

https://mobile.twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1406794651995148290

Dr. Dingel is Harvard...

This level of infectous spread is what I've presumed since the beginning.

[wnylib]

105. That is scary. People who are not vaccinated

won't have a chance against this variant. I am estimating the risks with delta thia way, from highest risk to lowest.

Not vaccinated, no mask
Not vaccinated, with mask
Vaccinated, no mask
Vaccinated with mask

Other factors matter, too, of course, e.g. age, general health, frequency of being around others, distance from infected people. Higher vaccine rates in a community will help to keep the infection rate down, but there will still be unvaccinated infections and a percentage of vaccinated ones.

Cuomo has lifted restrictions in NY based on a statewide vaccination rate of 70%. But some parts of the state, especially in rural areas, the vaccination rate is between 40% to 50%. My area is around 50%.

[SheltieLover]

106. I agree with your risk list

And CDC is starting to walk it back a bit, just saying delta might be a problem.

I cannot imagine what they were thinking when they told vaccinated people to go maskless.

It will be hard to get people back in the habit of masking, imo.

[wnylib]

107. Higher infection and death rates

will be a motivation to go back to masks. I don't think people will do it until that happens.

[SheltieLover]

108. I agree!

Why is our society always reactive, rather than proactive?

And only if media does its job & reports truthfully!

Have you read this thread?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215529000

OhioChick has 2 ER doctors in her family. She said one lost 8 patients to delta last week alone. All young adults 20s and 30s, no other health problems & all fully vaccinated!

Why is the media not reporting on these facts & why has CDC stopped tracking & reporting on fully vaccinated people with breakthrough infections?

[wnylib]

109. Yes, I read that thread.

Last edited Mon Jun 21, 2021, 09:46 AM - Edit history (1)

My guess about media reporting is that they don't think the delta variant is a serious threat in the US, except in states where there is a very low rate of vaccination. The breakthrough infections prior to the delta variant have been very low and nobody, not even Fauci or the CDC seems to think that the delta variant will change the numbers of breakthrough infections significantly.

Also, our media no longer do much investigative reporting. They wait until something becomes obvious and then tell us what we have already noticed.

[SheltieLover]

110. I sure hope they are right about #s not changing from delta

This mutation sounds horrible!

You sure are right about media. It is a real shame. They certainly could pick up this story about how highly contagious delta is.

Even if it is just low vax states or areas, it is certainly news worthy, imo. For example, I know a few folks who have had organ transplants who have been advised not to get vaccinated, which obviously leaves them at a very high risk level.

[wnylib]

111. The number of breakthrough infections

WILL increase, of course, because of the lower efficacy of vaccines against this variant. We just don't know yet how much it will increase in different populations because we don't know for sure what factors contributed to breakthrough infections prior to delta. We know some of the likely factors, e.g. age. There are more breakthrough infections among people over 65 than among younger vaccinated adults. Of those over 65, it happens more often among women than men. But we don't know why. And we don't know what contributes to the breakthrough infections that do occur in people under 65.

Since delta is so much more infectious than other variants, then the numbers of all infections will increase, including the numbers of breakthrough infections.

Agree that this is very newsworthy and media should be giving some understanding of what is happening in order to let people decide how best to protect themselves and others. If people are informed in advance of the risks and the precautions to take, they will be better prepared for when delta becomes the dominant US strain.

[SheltieLover]

112. We are in complete agreement, Wyn

Informing people is essential and that is not happening.

[OhioChick]

64. 100% Agree!!

The same is happening here.

[Budi]

20. Ikr! The article talks about the risks also. But this is a good argument for having the vax.

You too, be careful.
😷

[SheltieLover]

22. Ty, Budi!

You too. I'm continuing to mask & isolate.

It isn't over, sadly.

So glad to have both vaccines, though!

[Midnight Writer]

7. In my area, plenty of shots are available, free of charge.

If you don't get the vaccine, it's because you don't want it.

And if you and your loved ones get sick because you haven't been vaccinated, you have no one to blame but yourself.

[Turbineguy]

8. It's also an economic problem.

This flies in the face of republicans whose real God is profits.

[wnylib]

49. It could become an economic problem

outside of heavily infected areas, too, if it causes supply chain problems. Too many sick truck drivers for delivery, too many sick people in a particular industry to show up for work. A medical problem, too, if it involves medicines and PPE, or a food problem if it involves processing harvesting or delivery of food products .

[dawg day]

10. Seriously, all of us adults should risk magnetism and GET VAXXED.

That's how we save the children-- real children, not the mythical ones QAnoners pretend to care about.
Real children can't yet get the vaccination, and they need us to protect them. If we're all more or less immune, the virus won't get to our children and from them to other children.

Of course, those anti-vaxxers don't really care about kids.

[roamer65]

14. I only care about the kids that can't get vaxxed and those who cannot for medical reasons.

The rest of these anti-vax freaks I hope the virus intensifies and removes them from the gene pool.


I’ll be in line for all the boosters needed.

[Jon King]

17. Kids will be fine...

Get vaccinated and go live life. Let others do their stupid things.

Kids will be just fine.

Best thing we could do now is realize most people who died or were hospitalized from Covid and were under 70 were overweight....America needs less Coca Cola, more exercise, less junk food.

Get in shape, Covid should have been a lesson for all of us about the importance of that.

[bucolic_frolic]

18. Red state, blue state

natural selection at work

[Crunchy Frog]

23. I don't give a fuck about any American adult who is unvaccinated by choice.

At least my own family is set, and we live in a fairly sane, well vaxxed area.

If Republican fascist whackos start dying like flies, I won't be shedding any tears.

[Warpy]

24. The "I don't wannas" will be in a world of hurt

They've been alarmist about other variants but this one seems justified, so far, but remember that most of the stats are from the country of origin where access to timely healthcare has been difficult.

It's already been noted that the severity of outbreaks on a per county basis correlate pretty closely to the percentage of Republicans.

I know a lot of people think it's OK, we'll be better off without them, but I hope they recover and realize they need to adjust their stinkin' thinkin'.

[sfdennis1]

25. Darwin Awards

Agreed with other posters "play stupid games/win stupid prizes" regarding Unvaxxed ppl getting sick and/or dying. You brought it on yourself. What i want to know is how about the rollout of DELTA (and similar) mutation booster shots??!! Can we get on this, like, YESTERDAY??!! I'm ready to be re-magnetized and get re-chipped. Don't wanna get sick, can't stand another lockdown, don't care about the MORONS risking their own death by Covid I just want to stay sane and healthy and be thankful for the graces and hard work of modern science.

[Crunchy Frog]

30. Pfizer is very effective against the Delta strain.

For extra added safety, continue to mask and distance.

[WarGamer]

26. Mississippi, what's up?

https://researchblog.duke.edu/2021/04/08/black-americans-vaccine-hesitancy-is-grounded-by-more-than-mistrust/

“It’s not just mistrust of the medical system, it’s mistrust of institutions,” Bennett said, “There’s a lot of reasons for [Black people] to mistrust institutions.” The murder of George Floyd stands as one poignant contemporary example, but “Tuskegee [still] looms large in the minds of Black Americans.” The Tuskegee experiment exploited 600 Black men working as sharecroppers who had syphilis by knowingly withholding treatment and simply seeing what happened to their bodies as a result of the disease for over 40 years.

[Crunchy Frog]

35. I hate to be insensitive, but do these people think that blacks are being given different vaccines

than whites, or that they're being given fake vaccines? Do they also avoid other vaccines or medical treatments?

I'm just not understanding the connection with Tuskegee.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

43. Most of the African Americans in SW Ohio are from...

... the Deep South, places like Mississippi and Alabama.

One of them had a relative who passed away a few weeks earlier, and she asked me if white people were embalmed for funerals too. I insensitively laughed at that ridiculous question at first, but then I realized she was serious.

People take their psychological hardships with them when they move elsewhere.

[Evolve Dammit]

27. This has really exposed how f'd up we are. No unity or common purpose anymore.

[Hekate]

29. With the largest state, California, there will be 2 Californias, & I'd like to see that shown...

On the very bright side, Cher is giving a large hunk of money for farmworker vax clinics in the Central Valley. She, like Dolly Parton, doesn’t forget where she came from.

[BannonsLiver]

31. Lots of people here cheering for that outcome.

[Elessar Zappa]

41. If the idiots wanna kill themselves,

who am I to argue? Fuck ‘em.

[Susan Calvin]

32. If it was only themselves it affected,

Give them a Darwin Award. Unfortunately, they'll be cooking up more and more variants for the rest of us.

[augyboston]

36. Evolution on full display.

Evolution is about weeding out the weak and ensuring that the strong survive, so here we are!

[rdking647]

37. no vaccine? no treatment

i fyou refuse to get a vaccine and get covid then
a) your insurance shouldnt have to pay dollar 1 for you rtreatment
b) you go to the end of the line if theres a need for a hospital bed or ventilator

[oldsoftie]

38. They think it is a liberal plot meant to kill them;

but most taking it ARE liberals. And they think that Trump should get credit for the vaccine development.
So by extension, doesnt that mean Trump is trying to kill them?

[treestar]

74. The cognitive dissonance conservatives manage

Is nothing short of astounding

[Yavin4]

58. Israel, the beloved country of the American right, is nearing 100% vaccination of their people.

And they've only had 6 deaths this month in total. If it's good enough for Israel, it should be good enough for our fundie right.

[vercetti2021]

59. If that side of America wants to die so be it

I'll be fully protect come the 24th. I've done my job. If they wanna put their fate in God's hands then they're not going to win.

[beaglelover]

61. Exactly!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

63. I think it's mostly an evangelical Christian divide.

This article mentions the rural/urban divide:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7020e3.htm

Yet there's also some rural areas with more sane people getting vaccinated... such as within the NE USA which has the lowest percentage of evangelicals in the country.

[Mosby]

69. Another reason to get vaccinated

Link to tweet

[BlueWavePsych]

70. Delta variants coming to a red state nearby ...

[OhioChick]

97. This Part is Concerning.....

"Wherever there are low rates of vaccination, the virus will continue to circulate and mutate, increasing the risk that new, more dangerous variants will emerge."