Growing Concern Over Covid Delta Variant - NBC News

[Rhiannon12866]

There is growing concern over the Covid delta variant, which is contributing to a rise in infections in eight states. Experts believe it will become the dominant strain in the U.S. As it spreads, several regions and communities remain unvaccinated. Aired on 06/21/2021.

[SheltieLover]

1. K&R!

It's not only the unvaxed.

PA Jen's dad passed away today with covid -- fully vaccinated.

[Warpy]

3. It pretty much is.

The mRNA vaccines are rated about 91% effective at preventing disease. A vanishingly small number of people won't respond to the vaccines, at all. Most of that 9% might get infected and fall ill, but the cases will be much less severe than if they were unvaccinated.

If you know any fence sitters, explain it this way, "Covid is a disease that eats people. The best way to get rid of it is to starve it to death and the best way to do that is get everybody vaccinated."

[SheltieLover]

5. I'm fully vaxed & advocate for all to be vaxed

But it seems the efficacy is reported as dropping. I saw 79% in 2 different articles in the past day, which is still excellent protection, but I don't want to be in the smaller %, so I'm advocating for masking, etc.

[Warpy]

11. Oh, same here

and I'll probably mask until it gets to 80% or so.

Part of the problem is that warmer weather and vaccination have combined to send numbers lower in all states, so people are starting to get sloppy again. I don't think this variant is any worse than the others, honestly, because I've read the same breathless reporting about all of them. I do think that in a few years, we;ll have to take boosters because the virus will mutate to evade the current vaccines, but there is no timetable for that, not yet.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. And I don't get why they're counting "the first shot"

I was under the impression that it took two weeks after shot #2 to be "fully vaccinated." I just read a news story yesterday about a father who got Covid and died after receiving shot #1. And we're hardly out of the woods, especially with the new variant. I also read yesterday that five more cases were reported just in my county - and how many go unreported? Plus, my county is only 61% vaccinated - and many New York counties to the south and west report lower percentages, not to mention other parts of the country (Southeast).

[SheltieLover]

7. OhioChick's 2 sons are ER docs - 1 had 8 patients in 20's - 30's die last week

No other health problems. Fully vaxed.

I went & restocked pandemic supplies today.

Not sure what you mean counting 1st shot? Fully vaxed is 2 weeks after 2nd shot far as I know.

I think TN vax rate is

[Rhiannon12866]

8. What I meant is the goal of getting 70% of eligible Americans having received their first shot

By July 4th. Shouldn't it be shot #2?

[SheltieLover]

9. I would think so!

I was so grateful to get mine, I almost teared up.

I guess it was a goal Joe set.

And I have to wonder how many do not go back for 2nd shot.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Shouldn't the goal be shot #2 since that's when people are fully vaccinated?

And I was also grateful to finally get an appointment, it was a way south of me, but I not only jumped at the chance, but I was early for shot #2 (drove in a rainstorm to get there) - and I'm not early for anything.

I also can't imagine why anyone wouldn't go back for shot #2. I was quite relieved when I got mine. I also took my brother to get both of his shots - he said he could go on his own to get #2, but I showed up and took him anyway, he's not big on going anywhere so I made sure he got both.

[SheltieLover]

13. I would think so - 2 shots

But maybe Joe was underestimating & hoping to over deliver? I've read that 1st shot provides 30-some % protection.

You are a great sister to have done that & I know you convinced him to get vax.

Shame you had to drive so far in rain to get shot, but I'm glad you did!

[Rhiannon12866]

18. Check out the text on the other video I posted, looks like one shot doesn't protect all that much

I was thrilled to finally get the chance to be vaccinated since it took awhile to be available here in Northeastern New York. The closest places were previously only New York City or at the other side of the state (my friend who teaches drove there!). But it never dawned on me to blow off shot #2. I had an appointment on a Sunday and I was amazed that I was the only one there, nobody else was waiting except an older gentleman who came in after me. That was it!

And I kept nagging my brother, LOL. I think he finally gave in just to shut me up. But there is no excuse now in these parts, pharmacies, pharmacies in groceries and Walmart, a large state-run site at the local mall - and many of those are accepting walk-ins!

DELTA Variant COVID and Why It's Concerning! - Doctor Mike Hansen
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017663069

[SheltieLover]

19. Never occurred to me to skip #2 either!

It's great they're everywhere now.

I was thrilled to get appts too! I sat at computer refreshing constantly for about an hour until one popped up.

Like buying postseason baseball tickets!

I only had to drive about 10 miles each way, which isn't bad for here.

Nagging brother... whatever works, right? I'm glad he's vaxed now too.

Ty for link. I'll check it out.

[Pobeka]

12. The news media has totally misinformed the public on the 1 shot efficacy.

Totally and completely.

They read in a NIH or CDC report that one shot gave 80% efficacy. But that was for the one week period immediately before the 2nd shot was given, and virtually all participants got the second shot. You only had to read an additional couple of sentences in the report to see that important fact, but some "science" reporter for the Post or Times, or MSNBC, or CNN didn't have the time or aptitude to understand it.

There never, ever was a controlled trial with one shot, but the way it was reported made it sound like you'd get 80% efficacy with the single dose.

I figure a whole bunch of immunologists/biologists/scientists had a very good reason for the two dose regimen, and to only take one dose is risking a major drop in immunity.

Can you tell I'm still steamed about this monumental screw up !

And now to make matters worse, there is evidence that the single dose only gets to 30% efficacy with the Delta variant.

[SheltieLover]

14. Sounds like very irresponsible reporting

Those who were hesitant probably didn't go back for 2nd shot!

[Pobeka]

15. Particularly if you had a flu/cold/headace symptom from the 1st dose.

--- which about 25%-33% of either Pfizer or Moderna did. So some fraction of those folks thought, I'm already at 80%, why suffer and get to the 95%?

[SheltieLover]

17. Absolutely!

Media needs to get it right!

[Rhiannon12866]

16. Check out the text that came with this video, it concludes exactly what you say

I added emphasis on what it said about the efficacy of receiving only one shot - as well as the reliable protection you receive after getting both shots. The only thing is that this doesn't include the Moderna, which is what I received, since that was the first vaccine available in my area of New York - offered by CVS.

DELTA Variant COVID and Why It's Concerning! - Doctor Mike Hansen
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017663069

[love_katz]

2. Kicking for visibility.

I intend to continue with the guidelines: mask in public, social distance, wash hands avoid crowds. I have been fully vaccinated, but my instincts say to not take chances. The penalty for failure is considerable.

[IronLionZion]

20. I love how Dr. Murthy compared it to "building a wall"

that might get some Trumpsters on board

[Rhiannon12866]

21. After all the deaths in this country - and the world - how can anyone still not take this seriously?