# Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2021 Breaking News **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 1, 2021, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428 "2021-01-01T08:03:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 93
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1874 "2021-07-26T21:20:02Z")
[California will now _require_ vaccinations for health workers](https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/07/26/california-to-require-vaccination-proof-for-health-workers/). Because a certain percentage of them, despite their medical training, just won’t get it otherwise. I know, because I had a mammogram a couple of months ago and my radiologist said she wasn’t getting the vaccine because she was planning on getting pregnant later in the year. The way this kind of radiologist works brings her face to within inches of yours, as she arranges you on the mammogram machine. In my case, both of us were masked, but still. I was taken aback by her statement, but after a couple of days, I emailed the radiology group to complain about her. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1875 "2021-07-26T21:38:54Z")
And buried in that story [300 San Francisco bars will require vaccine proof or negative COVID test from patrons.](https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/07/26/breaking-300-san-francisco-bars-will-require-vaccine-proof-from-patrons/) Nice! ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2021, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1876 "2021-07-26T21:49:40Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > There seem to be quite a few states who have decided that the problem is now over, so they are not reporting, or have changed reporting to weekly instead of daily. I heard that one state stopped reporting, but after a couple weeks they decided to start again. I forget which one, but I think Iowa. Four states that I’ve heard of have gone to weekly only, including Florida. And a bunch of others have gone to Mon-Fri only, which would explain the very low death count of yesterday. Today will probably also be low, since there’s always a one day lag between when the states report numbers and they get posted to the Worldometers site. Then expect a big jump tomorrow as they catch up. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1877 "2021-07-27T05:15:32Z")
195,389,114 total cases 4,183,299 dead 177,223,145 recovered In the US: 35,287,269 total cases 627,039 dead 29,548,468 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 194,835,316 total cases > 4,175,129 dead > 176,779,229 recovered > > In the US: > > 35,199,465 total cases > 626,762 dead > 29,511,909 recovered ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1878 "2021-07-27T06:08:36Z")
This is just about my first visit to this forum. Jesus Christ, I’m depressed now. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1879 "2021-07-27T13:22:43Z")
Florida’s seven-day average of new daily reported cases has hit its highest level ever, exceeding the peak of just under 18,000 back on January 5 2021. as far as I know, it’s the only state to set a new record since the beginning of the year (although Michigan came close in April). Puerto Rico looks as if it’s headed the same way, with rapidly increasing number of new cases Hawaii has already exceeded its January high, and is closing in on its own peak value of 255 set in August of 2020. Other states in which the numbers had been rising fast seem to have slowed or halted, at least for now, or else the rates are still low. the US as a whole still seems to be rising rapidly towards its April local peak, but is far from the values in January so far. All of this from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus pages. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1880 "2021-07-27T15:46:29Z")
So there’s new mask guidance from CDC (as there should have been weeks ago), but notice how they’re still trying to water it down. The whole point of mask guidance is to risk the spread of droplets – from everyone. The idea that it’s okay for some people with breakthrough infections to a) expose themselves to risk of infection and b) risk spreading droplets around others…makes not a whole hell of a lot of sense. This is probably because CDC is over-estimating the degree of protection afforded by the vaccines, but as I’ve already mentioned, the CDC threw out its best opportunity to collect that kind of data months ago. > **[CDC changes mask guidance in response to threat of Delta variant of Covid-19...](https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/27/politics/cdc-mask-guidance/index.html)** > > The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday changed its masking recommendations as it grows more concerned over the Delta variant of Covid-19, urging vaccinated people in certain areas of the country to resume wearing masks indoors... ---
**Author:** ![Chatterbox1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/57b2e6/32.png) [@Chatterbox1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chatterbox1)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1881 "2021-07-27T16:41:56Z")
Why do you think the CDC is overestimating the protection from the vaccines? They are very effective. What opportunities to study have they missed, exactly? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1882 "2021-07-27T17:19:22Z")
They stopped tracking breakthrough infections back in May, assuming that the worst of the pandemic was over. ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1883 "2021-07-27T17:44:12Z")
There are already threads on vaccine effectiveness versus variants. Please keep side discussions out of Breaking News. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1884 "2021-07-27T18:00:59Z")
_“Wear masks indoors – in places that already have raging pandemics. Everywhere else, wait until you get 100% more cases per week and then we’ll consider revising our mask guidance again.”_ Like, why?! Just admit that we’ve got a pretty substantial wave that’s building and put everyone on notice that we’re back to Winter again. People - including vaccinated people - are going to die or end up with crippling disease again because the frickin CDC is worried about optics. > **[CDC recommends the vaccinated wear masks in some areas](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-administration-recommend-vaccinated-wear-masks-areas-low-vaccination-rates-n1275012)** > > Administration officials had been struggling in recent days with how to respond to a rising number of Covid-19 infections and hospitalization among those who are fully vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![Chatterbox1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/57b2e6/32.png) [@Chatterbox1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chatterbox1)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1885 "2021-07-27T19:34:36Z")
Their website says > [@](#): > > As of May 1, 2021, CDC transitioned from monitoring all reported vaccine breakthrough cases to focus on identifying and investigating only hospitalized or fatal cases due to any cause. This shift will help maximize the quality of the data collected on cases of greatest clinical and public health importance. Nothing about assuming the worst was over. [https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/health-departments/breakthrough-cases.html](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/health-departments/breakthrough-cases.html) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1886 "2021-07-27T21:12:44Z")
Moderating: > [@Jay\_Z](#): > > There are already threads on vaccine effectiveness versus variants. Please keep side discussions out of Breaking News. Please don’t junior mod. If you feel someone is breaking the rules, please use the Report button. Thanks. Not a warning, only a note. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1887 "2021-07-27T21:14:12Z")
Moderating: > [@asahi](#): > > Like, why?! Just admit that we’ve got a pretty substantial wave that’s building and put everyone on notice that we’re back to Winter again. People - including vaccinated people - are going to die or end up with crippling disease again because the frickin CDC is worried about optics. Please make sure you post in an appropriate thread. This one is for Breaking News only, not opinion or commentary. Not a warning, just a note. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1888 "2021-07-27T23:05:43Z")
Sorry, I was trying to make a point, but I admit that I was a bit too agitated. My bad. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1889 "2021-07-28T04:19:01Z")
195,991,320 total cases 4,193,155 dead 177,678,249 recovered In the US: 35,353,923 total cases 627,351 dead 29,571,434 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 195,389,114 total cases > 4,183,299 dead > 177,223,145 recovered > > In the US: > > 35,287,269 total cases > 627,039 dead > 29,548,468 recovered ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1890 "2021-07-28T04:21:59Z")
Well go, go Bhutan! > **[Bhutan fully vaccinates 90% of eligible adults within a week](https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-bhutan-596528eca3535b5c2ee79e275ec5e7e0)** > > The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has fully vaccinated 90% of its eligible adult population in one week, exceeding the rates in countries with far greater resources. > [@](#): > > The tiny country, wedged between India and China and home to nearly 800,000 people, began giving out second doses on July 20 in a mass drive that has been hailed by UNICEF as “arguably the fastest vaccination campaign to be executed during a pandemic.” > > In April, Bhutan grabbed headlines when its government said it had inoculated around the same percentage of eligible adults with the first dose in under two weeks after India donated 550,000 shots of AstraZeneca vaccine. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1891 "2021-07-28T14:39:36Z")
A third dose of the Pfizer vaccine appears to [offer protection against the Delta variant](https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/28/health/pfizer-third-dose-data-bn/index.html). > The data posted online, which are expected to be discussed in a company earnings call on Wednesday morning, suggest that antibody levels against the Delta variant in people ages 18 to 55 who receive a third dose of vaccine are greater than five-fold than following a second dose. > > Among people ages 65 to 85, the Pfizer data suggest that antibody levels against the Delta variant after receiving a third dose of vaccine are greater than 11-fold than following a second dose. And there’s “estimated potential” for up to 100 times the neutralization of the Delta variant after dose 3, according to the article. I got the Moderna vaccine (no choice and was glad to get either). Is it likely a third dose of Moderna would offer the same protection? ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1892 "2021-07-28T15:03:24Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > And there’s “estimated potential” for up to 100 times the neutralization of the Delta variant after dose 3, according to the article. > > I got the Moderna vaccine (no choice and was glad to get either). Is it likely a third dose of Moderna would offer the same protection? I had J&J one dose. I guess I don’t understand or never investigate the Pfizer/Moderna two doses. Are they two doses of different things, or just the exact same vaccine twice? So a third one is just a refresher? ---
**Author:** ![Chatterbox1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/57b2e6/32.png) [@Chatterbox1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chatterbox1)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1893 "2021-07-28T15:32:52Z")
The doses are exactly the same, currently. Future boosters may be tweaked towards new variants. I doubt many will be surprised that repeated exposure to the vaccine can bring higher antibody levels for a time. I think antibody levels are being way over focused on because it’s the only thing we can really measure and put in a news release. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=92) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=94)