I’ve not checked in a while, but I seem to recall last year that Japan hadn’t really locked down that hard but that they had managed to control the spread with things like masking and shutting down restaurants and bars early in the evening. That’s probably going to be woefully insufficient with the delta variant now taking over.
The delta variant is the major reason for the spike, same as in all the other countries that are experiencing a spike. Twenty-seven cases out of 10,000 is not the major driver.
I’m sure the Olympics aren’t helping and IMO it was a mistake to hold them, because it diverts attention and resources from a building crisis. But it does no good to pretend that Japan wouldn’t be in bad shape if only they didn’t have the Olympics.
I was thinking more about all the infrastructure required to run the Olympics. All the mass transit, food deliveries, police, etc. Lots more people having to do a lot more stuff to keep the Olympics running. I’m not sure that all the workers at large are included in those 27 cases they list since they aren’t part of the Olympics proper.
That doesn’t surprise me. When I was shooting a wedding down in Miami Beach back in early May, the other photographer and videographers were from Canada. They had gotten their initial dose of Pfizer back in early May, but the second dose was scheduled 2-3 months out, as they were trying to get initial doses to as many people as possible. They just popped into a local Walgreen or CVS, who asked no questions, and gave them the second dose without an issue.
It’s not too early to start repositioning snow plows from northern snow states down south to keep the roadways passable. 
Governors of certain states will probably put legislation in place that will make it illegal to acknowledge bodies in the streets. Problem solved!
This is interesting:
Some in Missouri Seek Covid-19 Shots in Secret, Doctor Says
Even as the more contagious Delta variant drives a surge in infections, the Covid-19 vaccination effort has become so polarized in Missouri that some people are trying to get shots in secret to avoid conflicts with friends and relatives, a doctor there said.
If it gets more shots in more arms, that’s good. But still… what the hell is wrong with humanity?
Link is to NYT which could be paywalled but usually not for COVID stories.
Or they’ll legislate that dead COVID victims in the street be referred to as “snow”.
I’m really curious to find out how Pfizer and Moderna efficacy data compare in Canada and the United States. If/When the data come out, there could be noticeable differences, and if I had to guess, any differences would point to more durable immunity north of the border. Canada went a route similar to that of the UK by delaying second doses 2-3 months; Israel and the U.S. followed the regimen advised by Pfizer. The added benefit of going ‘for some immunity for everyone’ is that, despite their comparatively late start in getting their vaccine program off the ground, Canada has now far surpassed the U.S. in terms of vaccination rates across the country.
To be fair, that is in part because of relatively low politicization of the Pandemic; All parties right, left, center are mostly on board with following medical advice.
Of course, there are always some on the fringes who are desperate to blame Trudeau for anything and everything, and simply hand-wave Canada’s excellent performance on vaccinations as being due to our “famously compliant population” as if that was some kind of insult.
“I should have gotten the damn vaccine.”
Aye; he should have.
Here’s a cautionary tale to share when needed, eh.
I’m seeing more and more of this type of story. Maybe THAT will get people’s attention.
We’re gonna need to get people’s attention quick, before things get outta hand again:
I’m pretty sure that the US is going to go over 100,000 new cases today.
This is the leaked CDC slideshow, which is a good read - check out slides 15 and 21.
This shit is more transmissible than smallpox and the 1918 flu. Slide 21 says in big bold red: “universal masking is essential to reduce transmission of the Delta variant”, yet curiously, that’s not exactly their message to the public.
Again, probably because, as I’ve been saying, CDC is behind. They’re still trying to catch up on the data, and they will probably never fully get caught up.
Scroll up; posted 23 hours ago.
Aye, captain. Missed it.
198,031,336 total cases
4,224,346 dead
178,925,467 recovered
In the US:
35,688,506 total cases
629,064 dead
29,652,038 recovered
Yesterday’s numbers for comparison:
A few hours ago I wrote:
We got close: 99,470 new cases in the US today.
Oh; there’s this, too:
I didn’t see if this was already posted, but I think this is great.
Disney is requiring all US employees to get vaccinated. Walmart is requiring all headquarters staff and regional staff to be vaccinated. Walmart and Sam’s Club are putting back mask requirements for employees. Also, Costco will keep seniors’ hours after announcing they would be dropping them.
Walmart, Disney Get Tough on Unvaccinated Staff Amid Delta Surge
Very nice.
Douchey has already passed bills saying that businesses couldn’t mandate masks or vaccines.
I love watching trumpers backpedal and Douchey is going to have to start, most of the biggest employers in AZ are ignoring him and his anti-public safety stance.