I know I have annoyed some of you with how I've pounded folks like the CDC and Dr. Fauci over the head. My intent of being critical of them so often is not to annoy people, but to instead spread the actual science.
Here is a video of the CDC Director on TV March 10th. She again criticizes states who are "opening up too quickly". They mention Texas by name. Here is a trend of Texas daily covid cases (shows for me down at the bottom). And notice how the numbers continue dropping despite the fact the country as a whole bottomed out and is increasing again. Its about behavior, not restrictions. States who have had the most stringent restrictions and shutdowns have no material difference in cases from those states that are open. Being open doesn't mean being unsafe. You can be open and safe at the same time, as dozens of states have shown us for almost a year.
Next, listen to what she says about people who have been vaccinated. You are not to stop wearing a mask or being around other people. But in your own home you can meet with other vaccinated people. This has literally zero connection to science. We have no data yet that you can spread the disease or end up in the hospital in any meaningful number. Sure, if you're 80 years old or of frail health, you probably should be extra careful. But for regular Americans, this type of guidance is ridiculous.
Now listen to an interview from this weekend from Dr. Fauci. He blames the plateau and slight increase in cases on states who opened again. This in spite of the evidence that states like Texas are NOT seeing cases increase again - in fact cases are DECREASING. They are worse in states like New York and New Jersey. Why are people like them spreading false information?
He then goes on to say that kids cannot go to summer camps or playing in playgrounds right now.
Oh yea? Watch.
Dr. Walensky today said she has a feeling of impending doom with respect to another surge coming. Keep in mind that 150 million shots have been given. Almost 100 million people have now had the full vaccine. Another third (young people) are essentially immune. And another probably 10% at least have already had covid and have antibodies even though they haven't had the vaccine. With every passing week, another 20 million people get a shot.
Now is not the time to stop being safe. But the ability to have another wave of deaths is decreasing dramatically because those people susceptible to getting it don't simply exist. The group that does are the 25% of seniors who haven't gotten the shot. Their choice, but they've had plenty of time to get it. We can't shut down our economy forever for a group of people who refuse to ever get the shot. Tell them to stay at home and lock their doors, not us.
www.nytimes.com
