vaccines

The rate of vaccination in the US has slowed dramatically, and it’s really concerning.  Based on Israel’s data, if we get to 60% of adults (16+) vaccinated, we’ll be golden.  But we’re not trending towards that any time soon.

Looking at the plot, you can see that the rate of vaccination (slope) for Israel was much steeper at 45% than in the US.  Similarly, the slope was steeper in the UK at 45% vaccinated, though perhaps not as dramatically.  The UK appears to have hit a knee in the curve at 45 to 50% as well.  Israel, by contrast got to 55% before demand dropped off dramatically.  Looking at Israel, you can see that once demand drops, it REALLY drops.  At this rate, the US will be lucky to get to 55% this month.

From this plot, you can see that the running average of daily doses per 100 people has dropped by nearly 40% since its peak three weeks ago, and all indications of the trend are that it will continue to drop steadily.

What can we do?

  • Pay people.  $100 to anyone under 50 to get the vax, and $200 to anyone under 35.  Including kids.
  • Mandate vaccines for people who work in nursing homes and in hospitals with patients, or outpatient medical facilities with vulnerable people (eg cancer patients)
  • Nursing home residents should also be mandated to get vaccinated
  • Help employers set up onsite vaccinations for employees
  • Employers should incentivize employees to get vaccinated, preferably financially
  • Lift mask mandates indoors for anyone vaccinated once 50% of state population is fully vaccinated (outside of medical facilities)
  • Lift mask mandate for children of vaccinated parents in school once 50% of state population is fully vaccinated
  • Offer vaccines at ball games and other public venues
  • Offer vaccines at churches.  Have the pastor pitch it during mass / service
  • Go door-to-door vaccinating people over [75].  Some people are housebound and may not be able to get out to get vaccinated.
  • Mandate vaccination in order to fly (except for residents of communities that can only be accessed by air).  Or make nonvaccinated people buy two adjacent seats.  Or even a whole row.
  • All doctors should offer vaccines at EVERY in-person appointment.

In general, I’d like to see people like Fauci and Biden express a little more confidence in the vaccine.  It is *not* necessary to wear a mask outdoors “just to be safe” if you’re vaccinated.  Fauci can go to the movies.  Fence-sitters need to see leaders believing that vaccines actually work.  This isn’t as bad as Trump refusing to wear a mask, but it’s not good.

What else?