Hoping & Praying that ALL OF YOU if available get the Vaccine!!! There might be another wave...
The 7-day moving average of new infections was 54,666 as of Friday, according to a CNBC analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University.
--03-21-19:
www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-rapid-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-backfired-in-some-us-states/ar-BB1eOo6y?li=BBnb7Kz A rapid COVID-19 vaccine rollout backfired in some US states
Despite the clamor to speed up the U.S. vaccination drive against COVID-19 and get the country back to normal, the first three months of the rollout suggest faster is not necessarily better.
A surprising new analysis found that states such as South Carolina, Florida and Missouri that raced ahead of others to offer the vaccine to ever-larger groups of people have vaccinated smaller shares of their population than those that moved more slowly and methodically, such as Hawaii and Connecticut.
The explanation, as experts see it, is that the rapid expansion of eligibility caused a surge in demand too big for some states to handle and led to serious disarray.
Vaccine supplies proved insufficient or unpredictable, websites crashed and phone lines became jammed, spreading confusion, frustration and resignation among many people.
--03-19-21: edition.cnn.com/2021/03/19/health/us-coronavirus-friday/index.html
Here's what experts say is needed for US to return to normal. But these barriers stand in the way(CNN)States are pushing ahead with expanding Covid-19 vaccine access and rolling back restrictions on businesses and large gatherings as America seeks a return to normalcy.
But experts say two barriers stand in the way of reaching herd immunity and getting back to life as we knew it -- Covid-19 variants and vaccine hesitancy.
"We're seeing restrictions being lifted in so many parts of the country, we're seeing travel at an all-time high.
People are already going back to pre-pandemic normal," emergency physician Dr. Leana Wen told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Thursday.
"We have a pretty narrow window of opportunity to make clear what the benefits of vaccinations are. We know that these vaccines are really effective at preventing severe disease.
They also do substantially reduce your risk in each of these different types of settings, whether it's going to the restaurant or gym, or seeing family and friends."
More than 22% of the US population -- 75 million people -- have received at least one dose of vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Among Americans 65 and older, more than 66% of the population have received at least one dose.
Despite the progress, as of Thursday at least 10 states have seen reported increases of 10% or more in their daily average coronavirus cases when compared to last week, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
The uptick comes as more states are reporting the spread of variants that are more infectious and may defeat prior immunity for those who had Covid-19.
The B.1.1.7 variant, first discovered in the United Kingdom, is projected to become the dominant variant by the end of March or early April, according to the CDC. Research from earlier in the year suggests that vaccination can still provide protection against new variants.
Variants are also affecting the impact of certain monoclonal antibody treatments, according to an announcement by the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday.
Because of the complications provided by variants, experts say mass inoculation is necessary. But according to Wen, the situation is more nuanced than believing American society is strictly divided between pro-vaccination and anti-vaccination proponents.
"We're neglecting the huge number of people in the middle who need, who want to get the vaccine but may have some concerns or just don't have time to take time off of work or find child care," she said.
"We need to make vaccination easy for those individuals and also really clearly demonstrate what is the benefit of vaccination, make clear the messaging that vaccines are the pathway back to pre-pandemic life."
States, juggle expanding vaccine access and ending capacity rules
With an increase in supply, more states have expanded eligibility for the vaccines.
In New Hampshire, residents 50 and older will become eligible on Monday, and the state plans to expand access to all its citizens 16 and older "in just a matter of weeks," according to New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu.
When asked to comment on the state's rising average of new daily cases of Covid-19, Sununu said, "it's really about getting the hospitalizations and the fatality rate down, which is continually coming down."
According to the governor, a lot of people are also getting lax about mask wearing and social distancing. "We are not out of this yet," Sununu said.
Starting Monday, Louisiana will expand vaccine eligibility to a long list of essential workers, including individuals working in higher education, food service and grocery stores, manufacturing, transportation, clergy and others.
On Tuesday, Maryland will expand access to everyone ages 60 and up.
Kentucky will allow access to vaccination for those ages 50 and older starting Monday and aims for all adults to be eligible April 12.
The state also joins others that have begun to open up gathering restrictions by easing curfews for bars and restaurants beginning Friday, capping them at 60% capacity.
Massachusetts will allow 12% attendance at stadiums, arenas and ballparks next week. Public-setting capacity limits are increased to 100 people indoors and 150 outdoors, with indoor house gatherings remaining at 10 people allowed.
--03-20-21:
us.yahoo.com/huffpost/anthony-fauci-warning-plateau-covid-19-pandemic-075108410.html Anthony Fauci Warns That Current Phase Of COVID-19 Pandemic Is âNot A Good Place To Beâ.--03-19-21:
www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/travel-to-mexico-during-covid-19-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-go/ar-BB1clqmL?li=BBnbklE Travel to Mexico during Covid-19: What you need to know before you goIf you're planning to travel to Mexico, here's what you'll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The basics
Mexico is open to travelers. There is no need to provide a negative PCR test or quarantine on arrival, though most resorts ask guests to complete health questionnaires.
The land border between Mexico and the United States is closed for nonessential travel through at least April 21. However, air travel is allowed.
American travelers should remember they will need a negative Covid-19 test result taken 72 hours or less before travel to return to the US. The US Embassy says results for PCR and antigen tests are reliably available within 72 hours in Mexico.
What's on offer
Incredible food, sensational beaches, buzzing towns and historical remains. While the beach resorts around Cancun attract the bulk of visitors, those who want more than a fly and flop go for Mexico City's cultural heft, the coastline of Baja California and traditional towns such as Oaxaca.
Who can go?
Mexico has some of the loosest border restrictions, currently, with anyone allowed to travel by air for business or leisure.
What are the restrictions?
Travelers to the country must complete a health declaration form and scan the QR code it generates on arrival. There is no need to take a test before departure or undertake any form of quarantine.
Those concerned they may have symptoms should ask for the Sanidad Internacional health organization.
The land border with the United States remains shut to all but essential travel, while the southern border with Guatemala has also been subject to periodic closures.
What's the Covid situation?
Mexico had logged more than 2.1 million cases of Covid-19 and more than 196,000 deaths as of March 19 (although some believe the actual numbers are higher).
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has come under fire for taking a laissez-faire approach to the virus. Restrictions have not been far reaching and life has gone on as normal for many, which critics say has led to high death and infection rates.
What can visitors expect?
Mexico has a four-tier traffic light system of restrictions, with red signifying maximum restrictions, orange limiting capacity in public spaces and at work to 30%, yellow allowing for all work to resume and public gatherings to take place, and green meaning there are no restrictions in place. See a color-coded map here.
As of March 19, most states were categorized as yellow with some orange and green designations. Chiapas and Campeche states in southern Mexico and Sonora state in northern Mexico were listed as green. No states were listed as red.
Quintana Roo, where popular tourist destinations Cancun and Playa del Carmen are located, was listed as yellow.
Mexico City, still designated orange, has taken stringent measures, with fluctuating restrictions on restaurants and bars.
Visitors are likely to find the situation different depending on where in the country they travel, with local restrictions varying.
It's all in good fun.
