Vaccinations and Financial Help Has Arrived
The Biden-Harris Administration took control of the reigns of the federal government on January 20, 2021 with our country in the throws of a raging pandemic caused by the virus, SARS-CoV-2. The resultant USA COVID-19 disease has occurred in over thirty million cases, killed over 542,000 Americans, and cost US approximately ten million jobs, over the last 14 months. Anybody objectively and realistically opting for improvement of our country’s physical, psychological, and economic health concludes that effectively fighting this virus is the master key.
A focused federal government directed, and supported program is now being implemented to provide reliable consistent information from our federal agencies such as the CDC, FDA, HHS, and others. The Defense Production Act (DPA) has been used to improve testing, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), as well as vaccine production. The Covid testing of our K-12 students will be boosted by $10B made available in the recently passed $1.9T American Rescue Plan. Knowing that the production and administration of safe and effective vaccines are the lynchpins of controlling this disease, this administration has reached its initial goal of 100 million shots in arms in the first 100 days was met 42 days early. The new goal set is 200 million shots in arms in the first 100 days. There are plans for 25 million vaccinations to be performed this week alone. The three vaccines that are available for use in the United States, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, are getting widespread use and are proving their worth. The vaccine produced by AstraZeneca has reportedly been shown to provide 76% effectiveness against Covid-19 symptomatic illness. This vaccine is less expensive to produce and does not have severe freezer requirements. Emergency Use Authorization is likely to be requested by the end of April. The good news is that the vaccine needs of the USA over the next 3 months will likely be achieved by the currently authorized vaccines.
Although US vaccinations are more widespread, there still exist discernible and measurable discrepancies in vaccination coverage in most states. Like the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on racial/ethnic minorities the vaccinations have also been less likely to penetrate the socially disadvantaged communities. The outreach efforts by a variety of governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being particularly focused. The Hamilton County health officials are setting aside 20% of its vaccines for pop-up clinics in suburban areas of greatest disparities. Only 7.21% of the Black population of Hamilton County has been vaccinated while 25% of the residents of the top 5 vaccinated zip codes have received their shot (only 7% of those are black).
Getting our kids back in school provides psychological and financial relief for parents. A recent change in CDC guidelines allows students to be 3 ft apart as opposed to 6 feet. Additionally, the American Rescue Plan provides $130B for schools. The Biden policies in place have resulted in slightly less than half of K-8 students being back in school, full time. The President’s articulated goal is over 50% in the first hundred days.
Just as Covid-19 physical illness can have a devastating emotional effect on its victims, the loss of jobs and businesses has also resulted in considerable despair. Thus, addressing the economic impact of this pandemic is essential. The American Rescue Plan is putting $1400 in the pockets of 80% of Americans. Over 100 million Americans have already received this benefit. This real economic relief will improve the psychological health of recipients.
We are not out of the Covid woods yet! Variants continue to increase as states are relaxing restrictions. Spring breakers are partying, maskless, and are due to return home from the warm beach climates. The concern is that they will carry the more contagious and deadly variants with them. Our CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, is literally begging us to follow mitigation because new cases are still hovering at slightly above the 50K per day level. WEAR your mask, WASH your hands, WATCH your distance, WAIT your turn for your vaccine. If you have been fully vaccinated you can get together with another household, also fully vaccinated, without masks or social distancing.
