The Truth of the Matter
Nobody Wants to Talk about Covid
Aug 30, 2024
J. Stephen Morrison, a senior vice president and director of the CSIS Global Health Policy Center, delves into the latest Covid-19 surge and new variants. He discusses the KP3.1 variant and the challenges posed by declining vaccination rates and misinformation. Morrison highlights the need for effective public health communication amidst political polarization, especially with the 2024 election looming. He also addresses the effects of Covid fatigue on public perception and the importance of focusing on ongoing health threats beyond just Covid-19.
24:30
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Quick takeaways
- The current COVID-19 surge, marked by 1 to 1.2 million infections daily, is driven by new variants like KP3.1 and declining immunity.
- Vaccine uptake has plummeted, with only 24% of adults vaccinated, largely due to COVID fatigue, misinformation, and politicized health messaging.
Deep dives
Current COVID Surge and Factors Behind It
A significant surge in COVID infections is occurring in the United States, with estimates of 1 to 1.2 million infections per day. This increase is largely concentrated in 25 states, especially in the South and West, and is attributed to new variants, specifically KP3.1, which is becoming the dominant strain. The current wave is exacerbated by the decline in immune protection from past vaccinations, as well as an observed abandonment of preventative measures such as mask-wearing among the public. This combination of new, virulent variants and reduced personal safeguards is resulting in a dramatic rise in infections compared to hospitalizations and deaths, which, while increased, have not risen at the same alarming rate.
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