The Daily Most of Us Have Had Covid
Apr 28, 2022
Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times, dives into the staggering statistic that around 60% of Americans have been infected with COVID-19. She discusses the elusive nature of herd immunity and the ongoing risks faced by the population, especially children. The conversation also touches on the complexity of vaccination strategies, personal risk assessments, and the ethical challenges surrounding post-exposure testing. Mandavilli emphasizes the shift in public health goals towards preventing severe illness rather than simply counting infections.
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Widespread COVID-19 Infection
- The CDC reports 60% of Americans have had COVID-19.
- Infection rates vary by age, with 75% of children having been infected.
High Infection Rate in Children
- 75% of children have been infected with COVID-19.
- Many children remain unvaccinated, contributing to higher infection rates.
CDC's Tracking Methods
- The CDC tracks COVID-19 infections by analyzing blood samples.
- They look for antibodies specific to the coronavirus, indicating past infection.