So, About the COVID Numbers

 Haven't been talking about it in a while.

But, I'm going to point something out that I've noticed.

Our vaccination program is going well, but we're also seeing case numbers start to surge.

Is this the beginning of a Europe-style wave? It might be, but there's something else.

For the last few weeks I've also been looking at case numbers in Israel, which is the most vaccinated country on the planet.

We are seeing the same pattern of infection Israel was at the same point in the process.

Infections and sickness are way down in the senior population, which is now almost 50% fully vaccinated.

They are surging upwards amongst younger people.

I think there are a couple of things to blame here:

1. Just because Grandma is now vaccinated does NOT mean you can stop taking precautions. Younger people are being hospitalized. Younger people are dying. Younger people are staying sick for months.
2. Is it possible that hospitals are admitting younger patients that they would have had no choice but to send home when the ICU was full of very sick elders?

But the good news is that Israel proves vaccination can stop the surge in its tracks. It's harder here, because we are such a big country, but if everyone gets their shots as soon as they are able to get an appointment and doesn't start to relax too much, we can do it.

Oh, and in other news, trials show that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective in kids aged 12 to 15. If the same is true of Moderna (likely, as they're very similar vaccines), we may be able to get them vaccinated in time for school in the fall.

We can win this.