Pandemic: Public Health or Capitalism

I’m a bit chuffed this morning reading various articles about Delta and other variants on the horizon as they relate to breakthrough infection rates and outcomes. It is little comfort to read the assertions of the CDC and various virologists/epidemiologists to the effect that breakthrough rates are extremely low and that serious results (hospitalizations and death) are very low. One tracking organization dared to say that the breakthrough death rate was virtually zero. Tell that to the families of the Massachusetts breakthrough cases that resulted in multiple deaths this year.

The problem with these epidemiological conclusions is that they are NOT completely fact based. Why? Because the CDC is NOT tracking all breakthrough cases and is relying on states to report breakthroughs. Can we reasonably rely on all 50 states to accurately report on breakthroughs any more than we can rely on states and municipalities to accurately and completely report Covid related deaths? Many of these same epidemiologists have gone on record stating that the actual Covid death toll in the US is seriously undercounted.

Where does that leave those of us who are Covid vaccinated as we witness the reopening of the economy with rising Covid infection rates in every state? Here in Vermont at least two counties, Chittenden and Essex, are now high infection risk areas under CDC guidelines requiring the vaccinated there to mask when in public, indoor venues. Meanwhile, Vermont’s Governor and his Department of Health head refuse to order masking anywhere in Vermont.

Rather than having a NATIONAL pandemic containment policy in place that prioritizes public health and safety, we have policies prioritizing the restarting of the economy. This is really just the actualization of a consumer capitalism mandate working to the denigration of community public health. Shame on our elected “leaders.” Perhaps, if Covid deaths were as public and ugly as with smallpox and bubonic plague, the political response would be guided by public health and not business priorities.

In the meantime, as made clear in this expert’s Washington Post Op/Ed, it is up to each of us to maximize our safety and that of the most vulnerable we know and love. As Mr. Morrow used to say, “Good night and good luck.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/08/04/delta-variant-risk-assessment-leana-wen/