The unseen covid-19 risk for unvaccinated people

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The country's declining covid-19 case rates present an unrealistically optimistic perspective for half of the nation - the half that is still not vaccinated.

As more people receive vaccines, covid-19 cases are occurring mostly in the increasingly narrow slice of the unprotected population. So The Washington Post adjusted its case, death and hospitalization rates to account for that - and found that in some places, the virus continues to rage among those who haven't received a shot.

The rosy national figures showing declining case numbers led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to loosen mask recommendations two weeks ago and President Joe Biden to advise people to take off their masks and smile.

But adjustments for vaccinations show the rate among susceptible, unvaccinated people is 73% higher than the standard figures being publicized. With that adjustment, the national death rate is roughly the same as it was two months ago and is barely inching down. The adjusted hospitalization rate is as high as it was three months ago. The case rate is still declining after the adjustment.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/unseen-covid-19-risk-unvaccinated-222700347.html

[SoCalDavidS]

1. I Want To Know What Death Rate Is Among Vaccinated Who Continue To Wear Masks

I'm hoping it's as close to Zero as you could possibly get.

[Ms. Toad]

3. As cases grow in the unvaccinated not wearing masks,

it will aso grow among the vaccinated. (More exposure = more breakthrough cases.) Wearing masks is a smart way to mitigate the additional risk.

I went to the grocery store (yesterday) that has been safe - until the idiotic CDC pronouncement. The new sign on the door invited unmasked vaccinaged shoppers. Despite only 39% of county in which the store is located being fully vaccinated, fewer than half of shoppers and employees were wearing masks. And I'm pretty certain that most of us wearing masks were already vaccinated.

The decline in cases in the US that was growing rapidly prior to the CDC announcement (a % every other day or so) has largely stalled at 22% (over the prior week), and may have reversed directions (popping back up to as low as 19%). (I need a few more days of data to see if it is just a stall or a reversal.)

My guess is that we'll continue to see a decline (but at an increasingly slower rate) over the summer while people are largely outside - then a surge in the fall. But - a strong push to get people back in the office could mean that the surge will start earlier.

[progree]

5. Watch the southern states too during the summer. Last summer is when their cases skyrocketed

as they spent more time indoors for the air-conditioning. Meanwhile, northern states spent more time outdoors.

Late edit (posted after #6 below): I should say I'm not expecting skyrocketing cases in the South this summer. But I'd expect a slowing down or a plateauing of new cases this summer thanks to those who do get vaccinated, while northern states continue their declines.

[Ms. Toad]

6. Yup.

My no surge until the fall is largely wishful thinking.

[Nululu]

7. Target everyone I saw masked

There's a large sign outside saying mask required for entry.

Most masked at grocery store but more unmasked there.

[Ms. Toad]

12. They have started to change the signs here.

And behavior started to change before the signs did.

[FirstLight]

2. CDC fucked up IMO

TOO SOON!

driving through our tourist corridor yesterday saw less than 50% masks, everyone nice and close, as if nothing happened last year.

What concerns me is that this will no doubt creat new variants and then even vaxxed folk will be vulnerable.

I will continue to mask, even vaxxed. Not taking any chances with those crazy MFers

[Ms. Toad]

4. Agreed. n/t

[underpants]

8. We'll know on Labor Day

Time will tell

[Yavin4]

9. Is wearing masks giving the unvaccinated the false impression that it offers the same

protection as getting vaccinated? And as a result encouraging vaccine hesitancy? If you're not vaccinated, wearing masks won't protect you nearly as well as getting vaccinated, and I'm starting to think that when the vaccinated wear masks they're giving some of the unvaccinated the impression that the vaccines are a waste of time and are not as effective.

[flying_wahini]

10. The new variant is much easier to catch, apparently.

I think it’s kind of funny that the unvaccinated are counting on the vaccinated herd to protect
them.
It’s really odd that they trust Us that much. LOL

[LetMyPeopleVote]

11. The unvaccinated are mainly republicans

I have trouble being concerned about idiots.

Link to tweet

[Ms. Toad]

13. So all 0-11 year olds are Republicans? Who knew!

Until they are eligible for vaccination, we all need to protect them by continuing to mask - since the only way to ensure COVID is not infecting those who are not yet eligible for vaccination is to continue mandatory masking - or to abandon the honor system.

One way, or another, it is our obligation to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

[uponit7771]

14. I don't see kids being taking out of the number of unvaccinated, if they are then the number is even

... smaller and the PCR and Hospitalization rates are even worse !!