The Daily How Close Is the Pandemic’s End?
Mar 4, 2021
Carl Zimmer, science writer and author of the “Matter” column for The New York Times, dives deep into the complexities of the ongoing pandemic. He discusses the recent approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and its impact on vaccination efforts. The conversation highlights the emergence of COVID-19 variants that challenge vaccine efficacy and herd immunity. Zimmer also underscores the necessity for continued safety protocols as vaccination rates rise, alongside the ongoing concerns about how communities can adapt to these evolving threats.
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Plateauing Cases
- Daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. plateaued at 67,000 after declining for weeks.
- This plateau is concerning because it's similar to the summer peak, which caused alarm.
Reasons for Plateau
- Two factors potentially explain the plateau in COVID-19 cases: relaxed behavior and new variants.
- Relaxed behavior stems from declining case numbers, leading people to believe the pandemic is over.
B.1.1.7 Variant
- The B.1.1.7 variant, first identified in the UK, is spreading rapidly in the US.
- It's more contagious and potentially more lethal than previous strains.
