America takes pride in being #1 in a wide array of accomplishments. But a distressing milestone has been reached of half-a-million COVID-19 deaths, more than any other country in the world.
The US has almost 28 million active COVID cases, the most in the world, and two-and-a-half times more than the next leading country, India, with nearly 11 million.
Currently 12% of US have at least received their first dose of vaccine, but 35% of US have already been infected with the coronavirus. Researchers indicate that those surviving COVID-19 may have a several-month immunity, but research continues.
President Joe Biden has increased the number of weekly vaccine shipments to states to 13.5 million doses.
An average of 2,700 people per day received a vaccine in Pierce County last week.
Lakewood’s St. Clare Hospital started administering vaccine doses on Dec. 17th. Over 85,000 total doses will have been given out by St. Clare’s parent organization, Virginia Mason Health System, systemwide, nearly 50,000 of them within the last month. Of that number, 7 have had reactions typical with what you would find for inoculations, such as a red bump or when people pass out from the sight of needles.
When the Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations were first fielded, doctors in Virginia Mason stepped-up and took the vaccinations and the staff then lined up for the shots as well.
Hospitals like St. Clare have not seen a run on medical services. Some of this is attributed to people staying home and avoiding hospitals. The Northwest has not suffered from the effects of COVID much owing to the population being a little younger, more affluent, and more spread out than other urban centers. People electing to get outside more often here hasn’t hurt either.
The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) is a federal program that may help pay for costs of medical care and other specific expenses of certain people who have been seriously injured by certain medicines or vaccines, including this vaccine. Generally, a claim must be submitted to the CICP within one (1) year from the date of receiving the vaccine. To learn more about this program, visit www.hrsa.gov/cicp/
Washington State has counted nearly 5000 COVID deaths.
Some optimistic sources say results can be seen as early as April, but say we may not be back to normal until autumn.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
Len says
The 28 million cases are not active cases, that is the total number of cases. Many of those have recovered.
And, 35% of the US has not been infected with the virus. If we’ve had a total of 28 million cases, that means about 8% of the US has contracted the virus. 35% would equate to more than 115 million people.
Dave says
Not really surprised by this. We live in a “free country” consisting of many people with an attitude of, “You can’t tell me what to do! I can say, and do, whatever I want.”
Other countries have governments which will tell you what to do and exact severe penalties for not doing it. Still, there are some countries who fervently believe in doing what is good for the benefit of all.
So, we will continue on as we are; we will also continue asking the government to take care of us, apparently oblivious of the obligation that we can, and need to, take care of ourselves. If we’re not earning a living, we become more dependent upon the government to take care of us; to control us.
And there are states such as our own which have a governor who controls businesses and individuals in daily living. These people are enjoying their power and plan to keep it as long as possible. They will not give it up easily, and not without a fight.
John Arbeeny says
Politicians have tasted totalitarianism and they like it. What’s the point of having a legislature if the executive can declare “emergency!” and then rule by decree ad infinitum? We need well defined limits on executive powers, emergency or not.
steve says
When can us normal younger people with no pre-existing conditions finally get them?