Michael Osterholm, a former Biden advisor to COVID-19, warned on Sunday that while progress was being made in combating the coronavirus pandemic, the threat of new virus variants was still lurking.
While appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Osterholm was asked by the host Chuck Todd
Charles (Chuck) David ToddBrown Believes Democrats ‘Will Find A Way’ To Raise Minimum Wage Fauci Explains Timeline For Vaccinating Teenagers, Children Trudeau: Canadian, US Border Remains Closed ‘For Now’ how vulnerable the US is today as states begin to lift pandemic restrictions. Osterholm is a former member of Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board during the transition.
“Let me say we are now in the eye of the hurricane. It looks like everything is going very well, ”said Osterholm. ‘We’ve had a terrible, terrible year. But what we know is going to happen to us is the situation with this B.1.1.7. variant. A virus that originated in the United Kingdom, which is wreaking havoc in parts of Europe today. “
Osterholm noted that several countries in Europe have recently resorted to two-month lockdowns to contain the new variants. Early research has indicated that potential variants, such as those from Brazil and South Africa, can reinfect those who have already recovered from a previous COVID-19 case.
“The last time I was on your show four weeks ago, the B.1.1.7 variant had about 1 to 4 percent of the virus we saw in communities across the country. Today it is 30 to 40 percent. “Osterholm told Todd.” And what we’ve seen in Europe when we hit that 50 percent mark, you’ll see the number of cases rising sharply. So right now we need to protect America as best we can against this virus, by not to give up the public health measures we have taken, and we need to get people vaccinated as soon as possible. “
Todd also noted during the interview that the CDC guidelines for those vaccinated have not been released so far and asked Osterholm what his recommendations would be.
“What is the public likely to do with the guidance we give them?” Osterholm asked. “If we just tell people to stay in their cocoons, to stay at home, to keep wearing their masks even though they are fully vaccinated, then they are not going to do that. ignore public health. ‘
The epidemiologist stated that he would not enter a busy restaurant at this time, even if he had been vaccinated.
“We have to be practical and I’m a little concerned that we will basically stick with this idea that we’ve always had: do this or else,” said Osterholm. And so I hope the CDC guidance recognizes that people aren’t going to go out of their way to master 2022, that’s just not going to happen. So what can we give them reasonable information that gives them the best arguments to protect themselves? ? “