- Aug 21, 2010
- 32,673
- 9,797
- Parrots
- Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /
RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
April 14, 2021
What Is the Immunity Threshold for COVID-19?
Experts have estimated that 70% to 90% of the population needs to be vaccinated to curb the spread of COVID-19, but there is still much to learn about this disease.
So far, the three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States have remained effective against more contagious and deadly variants of the virus that have emerged, though slightly less effective than they are against the original virus. However, if a new strain emerges that can dodge the body's immune response to the vaccines, that will dampen the nation's efforts at achieving herd immunity.
Texas is still about 13 million people away from herd immunity to the coronavirus. The state is chasing that goal even as Texans begin to act like the pandemic is over. From @rossramsey. https://t.co/jqaTZ4gmae
– Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) April 14, 2021.
In other news April 12, 2021:
Governor Abbott believes Texas may have reached herd immunity!
Abbott is basing his reasoning on what he termed 'simple math' and claims that it explains the recent decline of coronavirus cases in the Lone Star state.
Abbott has based his calculations by taking the number of people who have been vaccinated and combining it with the number who have been infected.
"I don't know what herd immunity is, but when you add that to the people who have acquired immunity, it looks like it could be very close to herd immunity," he said.
Herd immunity an immensely complex concept. Given worldwide travel, global herd immunity is our best antidote. Rollout of vaccines pitifully slow in the un/underdeveloped world, heck even in Canada the inoculation process is slow. Gaps in coverage give the virus opportunity to mutate and spread despite middling travel embargoes and precautions.