American coronavirus: generalized vaccinations are a way to get back to normal

In the Magic Mountain parking lot, an average of 2,800 people are vaccinated against Covid-19 daily, Kenichi Haskett, Los Angeles County fire department chief, told CNN on Saturday.

“We would like to continue vaccinating here,” Haskett said. “So if that doesn’t work and we can’t reach that point of at least 4,000 vaccinations (per day) (when the park opens) … we have other sites identified in Santa Clarita than we can open. “

More vaccinations help lead to more reopenings

As the United States moves closer to widespread immunization, many states are changing their policies regarding Covid-19 restrictions.

In Maine, Governor Janet Mills said on Friday the state would continue to require masks, but she announced a new framework to slowly reopen the state. By March 26, the capacity of gatherings inside the state will increase to 50% and outside to 75%.

And starting Saturday in West Virginia, some businesses including restaurants, bars, gyms and museums will open with 100% seating capacity, but social distancing will still be required, the governor said on Friday. Jim Justice.

Not all heads of state feel comfortable with the changes.

“I am deeply concerned about states lifting the mask mandate, because what you are doing is sending a signal that it is no longer important, and it is not true. In fact, it’s just as important as ever, ”said North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper.

“I would encourage my fellow governors and local officials who make decisions in some states to keep the mask’s mandate, to set good examples and to continue to do responsible things.”

The number of cases for variants is increasing

A variant first identified in the UK has now been reported in 2,672 cases in 48 states and jurisdictions as of Thursday, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And it is spreading quickly.

“We’re literally sitting on top of this, at a time when, instead of better preparing for it, we open up and invite the virus in,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

With vaccine eligibility opening to most U.S. adults by the summer, support for protective measures against the virus is dwindling, according to a new survey.

Although less than a third of people said there should be fewer measures, support for further restrictions has been waning since November, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center.

But health experts say the road to herd immunity still has a long way to go, and masks and other restrictions are still key to managing the pandemic.

New CDC study shows “masks work,” CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky said during a White House briefing on Covid-19 on Friday.

“You have a decrease in cases and deaths when you wear masks and you have an increase in cases and deaths when you dine out in person, and so we would be advocating for policies – certainly while we are at this plateau. of a high number of cases – who would listen to this science of public health, “said Walensky.

Detroit mayor denies Johnson & Johnson vaccine allocation

Many experts celebrated the authorization of the third coronavirus vaccine: Johnson & Johnson’s, which is a single vaccine and is stored at temperatures more convenient for transport and storage.

But there has been a setback.

Duggan declined the shipment because the city is able to meet current demand with its supply of Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna vaccines – even as its administration expanded vaccine eligibility on Thursday to residents aged 50 and over. more suffering from chronic health problems.

All three vaccines are very effective in preventing serious illnesses caused by Covid-19, and health officials have urged people to take any Covid-19 vaccine offered to them.

“Maybe the day will come in March or April when every Moderna and Pfizer will get involved, and we still have people who need a vaccine. And at that point, we’ll create a Johnson & Johnson Center. I don’t see that in the next two weeks, ”Duggan said.

CDC Guidelines for Vaccinees

The CDC’s advice for people who have been vaccinated will be available soon, Walensky said. The guidelines were due to be released this week.

“Our goal and what is most important is that people who have been vaccinated and those who have not yet been able to understand the steps they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones”, a- she declared.

More than 82 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed in the United States, and after a year of life’s upheaval, many want to know what the future holds.

“I think people need practical advice on how to go about their daily lives,” said Julia Marcus, infectious disease epidemiologist at Harvard. “I think without guidance people can make decisions that are not informed.”

While the guidelines don’t give those vaccinated permission to start living again like they did in 2019, according to a Biden administration official, they do offer hope that the end of total social isolation is near.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported the number of people getting vaccinated daily at Magic Mountain. That’s an average of 2,800 people.