This is a very curious moment in history. Americans, notorious for not trusting government, are doing precisely that on a massive scale; in blue and red states. While it exists in pockets, vaccine hesitancy is fading away on the whole. Americans are getting vaccinated, often at government-sponsored sites, and have put faith in their regulatory agencies. Meanwhile, Europeans, generally known for having trust in their governments and regulatory agencies, have lost faith. Vaccine hesitancy is rising rapidly, prolonging the coronavirus crisis. For example, today in Madrid only 33% of those who had scheduled an appointment to get vaccinated showed up. And it’s not just the Astra Zeneca vaccine that people don’t trust.
Interesting. It is a curious world. What other than distrust of the vaccine….which I understand, especially with AZ…..is stopping people.
My SIL had a strong reaction after his second pfeizer yesterday. Has anyone had severe pain across their upper back?
I am scheduled for my second Pfizer in a couple weeks. I guess I will have to prepare myself for a “reaction”? Hopefully it will not mean sharp pain like your SIL. Yikes!!!
I’m thinking being older that our reactions may not be that severe. I did have extra blankets folded at end of bed and warmer PJs for first night. I didn’t need them
Hopefully once word spreads that the U.S. has “successfully” vaccinated most of its citizens, in time Europeans will begin to trust their governments again, resulting in an uptick in vaccinations.
They will have to do something about the AZ reputation.
So, playing the devils advocate, Joshua, if Europeans are not willing to take a chance on the vaccine, are we better off holding onto the millions of doses we have here to keep them from spoiling. At least until the folks in Europe and elsewhere begin to trust
Good question. I really don’t know at this point. Perhaps we could send the doses to places where they do trust the AZ vaccine more, like Canada. But, we could then also be accused of giving away a sub-par vaccine.
We did send to Canada and Mexico I believe. But Canada paused its use a bit ago. I’m not sure if they resumed. I may be very wrong to criticize Biden for holding the vaccines. I still think he should have stayed out of schools. But I’m a lot less happy with our state and giving all power to Riley than I am with Biden.
Global daily cases may approach 900k by next week, which will be the highest peak yet.
India’s surge is relentless, as is Brazil’s, Turkey’s, France’s, and several other countries. Many countries in South America, Europe, and even some in Asia are plateauing at very high levels.
Deaths being reported are approaching 15k globally on some weekdays. I think the January daily record for deaths will be broken at some point in the next few weeks.
The U.S. hospitalizations are rising, albeit slowly. Still, it’s notable. Cases today will approach 85k for the day, which is the highest in over a month. Yesterday deaths climbed over 1,000 yet again, and today may approach that number, too.
This is a very pesky virus, which I’ve underestimated so many times.
Forgot to mention Sweden, which in a number of regions, including Uppsala, is seeing its highest ICU usage of the entire pandemic. Many comparatively younger folks in ICU. Across the nation, almost 400 in ICU, which is a lot for a country of 10 million.
The Dutch ICU numbers are also gradually climbing every week by about 5%. Nearly 800 in ICU right now. For a country of 17 million that’s a lot of Covid-19 patients in ICU.
It’s a relentless pandemic.
Joshua – Thank you very much for the tremendous amount of information and insight that you continually provide. I really appreciate the global perspective that you bring to the discussion.
Joshua, I echo SClarkes comment. As you know, through Mac, we have many long time global friends.
Thanks, Vicki and SClarke.
Ultimately, we’re a global community. The word pandemic implies worldwide. So, while I’m heartened by the fact that the U.S. is vaccinating at a rapid pace, and that its 4th wave is not a massive surge – more a bay rather than an ocean wave – I’m aware that globally dozens of nations are going through perhaps the worst of the pandemic. And that’s happening right now.
I’m hopeful, despite the data from around the globe. Science will prevail. But, this is a major battle, and the virus is not retreating yet. It seems hell-bent on infecting almost the entire population – with the exception of those who got vaccinated, but even some of these folks contract the virus (but don’t get severely ill). I think coronavirus will change scientists’ perceptions of herd immunity. Coronavirus is so adept at infecting people, and possible reinfecting some, that 60%, 70%, even 80% may not be sufficient for herd immunity.
C-19 for 4-10 is ready.
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Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
This is a very curious moment in history. Americans, notorious for not trusting government, are doing precisely that on a massive scale; in blue and red states. While it exists in pockets, vaccine hesitancy is fading away on the whole. Americans are getting vaccinated, often at government-sponsored sites, and have put faith in their regulatory agencies. Meanwhile, Europeans, generally known for having trust in their governments and regulatory agencies, have lost faith. Vaccine hesitancy is rising rapidly, prolonging the coronavirus crisis. For example, today in Madrid only 33% of those who had scheduled an appointment to get vaccinated showed up. And it’s not just the Astra Zeneca vaccine that people don’t trust.
Interesting. It is a curious world. What other than distrust of the vaccine….which I understand, especially with AZ…..is stopping people.
My SIL had a strong reaction after his second pfeizer yesterday. Has anyone had severe pain across their upper back?
I am scheduled for my second Pfizer in a couple weeks. I guess I will have to prepare myself for a “reaction”? Hopefully it will not mean sharp pain like your SIL. Yikes!!!
I’m thinking being older that our reactions may not be that severe. I did have extra blankets folded at end of bed and warmer PJs for first night. I didn’t need them
Hopefully once word spreads that the U.S. has “successfully” vaccinated most of its citizens, in time Europeans will begin to trust their governments again, resulting in an uptick in vaccinations.
They will have to do something about the AZ reputation.
So, playing the devils advocate, Joshua, if Europeans are not willing to take a chance on the vaccine, are we better off holding onto the millions of doses we have here to keep them from spoiling. At least until the folks in Europe and elsewhere begin to trust
Good question. I really don’t know at this point. Perhaps we could send the doses to places where they do trust the AZ vaccine more, like Canada. But, we could then also be accused of giving away a sub-par vaccine.
We did send to Canada and Mexico I believe. But Canada paused its use a bit ago. I’m not sure if they resumed. I may be very wrong to criticize Biden for holding the vaccines. I still think he should have stayed out of schools. But I’m a lot less happy with our state and giving all power to Riley than I am with Biden.
Global daily cases may approach 900k by next week, which will be the highest peak yet.
India’s surge is relentless, as is Brazil’s, Turkey’s, France’s, and several other countries. Many countries in South America, Europe, and even some in Asia are plateauing at very high levels.
Deaths being reported are approaching 15k globally on some weekdays. I think the January daily record for deaths will be broken at some point in the next few weeks.
The U.S. hospitalizations are rising, albeit slowly. Still, it’s notable. Cases today will approach 85k for the day, which is the highest in over a month. Yesterday deaths climbed over 1,000 yet again, and today may approach that number, too.
This is a very pesky virus, which I’ve underestimated so many times.
Wrote a piece today about Canada’s current woes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2021/04/09/o-canada-woefully-behind-on-vaccinations-and-seeing-a-surge-in-cases-of-variants-of-concern/
Forgot to mention Sweden, which in a number of regions, including Uppsala, is seeing its highest ICU usage of the entire pandemic. Many comparatively younger folks in ICU. Across the nation, almost 400 in ICU, which is a lot for a country of 10 million.
The Dutch ICU numbers are also gradually climbing every week by about 5%. Nearly 800 in ICU right now. For a country of 17 million that’s a lot of Covid-19 patients in ICU.
It’s a relentless pandemic.
Joshua – Thank you very much for the tremendous amount of information and insight that you continually provide. I really appreciate the global perspective that you bring to the discussion.
Joshua, I echo SClarkes comment. As you know, through Mac, we have many long time global friends.
Thanks, Vicki and SClarke.
Ultimately, we’re a global community. The word pandemic implies worldwide. So, while I’m heartened by the fact that the U.S. is vaccinating at a rapid pace, and that its 4th wave is not a massive surge – more a bay rather than an ocean wave – I’m aware that globally dozens of nations are going through perhaps the worst of the pandemic. And that’s happening right now.
I’m hopeful, despite the data from around the globe. Science will prevail. But, this is a major battle, and the virus is not retreating yet. It seems hell-bent on infecting almost the entire population – with the exception of those who got vaccinated, but even some of these folks contract the virus (but don’t get severely ill). I think coronavirus will change scientists’ perceptions of herd immunity. Coronavirus is so adept at infecting people, and possible reinfecting some, that 60%, 70%, even 80% may not be sufficient for herd immunity.
C-19 for 4-10 is ready.