Florida's vaccination rate - expressed here as a percentage of total population - was slipping sideways until positive cases accelerated around the first of July. That is the good news. The better news is that excess deaths associated with COVID-19 are down substantially since from 2020 peaks - a modest 1-5% versus 40-50%.
The not so good news is that infection and illness even of the vaccinated is probably sufficiently widespread to cause concern in the population. If you had not already figured it out based on the anecdotal evidence around you, depending on where you live, breakthrough infections appear to be more common that originally anticipated. That reality is probably what sent the White House to front run the scientific community last week when it declared boosters would be available on Sept. 20.
The reality of a virus - they don't easily depart - probably means some adjustment to expectations. Lockdowns are unlikely as are school closures. Mask mandates that make the world unfun are probably the most public health officials can ask for and even that is getting challenged.
Since the public health apparatus has so far failed to bring some clarity to sources of transmission, we are likely to continue to experience very different regional and often irrational attitudes toward mitigation.
Emily Evans
Managing Director – Health Policy
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