“For me, I think the vaccine should win,” added Jha. “That’s the big deal though: What Texas, Mississippi and the other states are doing to relax and get rid of mask requests and kind of pretend everything is back to normal, and it’s definitely going to happen. With the changes.”
Texas and Mississippi governors are among at least a dozen state leaders who have eased restrictions this month – many blame improved Covid-19 numbers and increased vaccinations.
New cases are still seeing a downtrend in the US overall, and experts believe that more sustainable data – at least two weeks – is needed to set the trend. But with so many disturbing variables dotting the country, spotting the warning signs may be the key to curbing the ongoing spread.
The United States is creating a “perfect storm” scenario, with varying implications
There are several variables that worry experts at this time.
There is a “front and center”, said Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
This is the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first discovered in the UK and is now expected to become the dominant variant in the US within a few weeks, according to the CDC.
“Our current models … a project that will be B.1.1.7 by the end of March, early April, is the dominant alternative,” said Dr. Rochelle Wallinski, director of the CDC, on Monday.
At least 4,690 cases of the variant have been reported in the United States – this probably doesn’t represent the total number of cases across the country, but only represents those discovered by scientists who tested positive samples. The variant has been detected in at least 48 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
“I think the next few weeks are going to be all around B.1.1.7 and the race between the vaccine and the variant,” Osterholm said. “Mitigation as we are doing now … We are creating an ideal storm scenario for this virus to spread.”
Various Approaches to St. Patrick’s Day
Some Irish pubs in New Orleans have announced that they will not open their doors for celebrations, citing concerns about the spread of Covid-19 and restrictions on companies.
Irish pub Finn McCall in Mid City wrote on Facebook on Monday that fans “will not allow us to abide by state and city rules”.
The message reads: “As much as we would like to be open and see each other’s faces, this not only endangers our employees, but the company as well”.
New Orleans officials relaxed restrictions last week, allowing retail stores, restaurants, salons and other businesses to increase capacity to 75 percent. Bars, pubs, gyms and other venues now operate at 50%.
Meanwhile, in Georgia, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said Tuesday the city is open, while urging support for Covid-19 mitigation efforts.
“It is important to note that Savannah is wide open. We have been wide open. The way we remain open to it is to ask for the use of masks,” indicating how important Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations are to the local economy.
Despite the pandemic and the city’s mandate to hide the mask, thousands of residents and tourists, some without masks, crowded socially remote streets and businesses over the weekend.
All states have vaccinated at least 10% of adults
Among the country’s population aged 65 or over, more than a third have been fully vaccinated and nearly two thirds have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Additionally, all states have fully vaccinated at least 10% of the adult population.
But as vaccination processes accelerate, challenges remain, including replication of vaccines and disinformation.
Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said Tuesday that the church could play a leading role in increasing confidence in the Covid-19 vaccine.
“Many of those who could benefit so much because they are at risk of contracting a serious and even fatal infection are still holding back,” said Collins, speaking at Washington National Cathedral, where religious leaders have gathered to build confidence in vaccines.
He said, “Today you are all putting hope into action.” “I hope to end the terrible suffering and loss of life caused by the Covid-19 virus, I hope to end the economic devastation it has caused, and I hope that the vaccine will not only protect you, but also – if we do so together – – your family, friends, your community, your nation and your entire world.”
Deidre Macphillips, Jamil Lynch, Gregory Lemus, Gisela Crespo and Michael Needleman contributed to this report.
“Food trailblazer. Passionate troublemaker. Coffee fanatic. General analyst. Certified creator. Lifelong music expert. Alcohol specialist.”