US Coronavirus: America is in an ‘absolute race against time’ with new coronavirus variants, expert says

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“We have little breathing space at the moment, but if these new variants become dominant in our country, we will be back where we were in November and December and maybe worse,” said emergency physician Dr. Megan Ranney on CNN.

“The increase that is likely to occur with this new variety from England will take place in the next six to fourteen weeks and when we see that happen … we are going to see something like we haven’t seen in this country yet,” Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told NBC Sunday.

But that is not everything. Last week, Minnesota officials announced that they had discovered the first US case of the P.1 variant in a traveler from Brazil. Two states also recently discovered cases of a variant first identified in South Africa, which has worried scientists due to a mutation that could make current Covid-19 vaccines less effective.

“Despite the falling numbers, now is not the time to give up basic precautions,” Ranney warned on Sunday. “Wear a mask, avoid unmasked gatherings indoors, and of course wash your hands and try to keep your distance from others if possible.”

Expert urges change of vaccine strategy

Amid the push for more vaccinations in anticipation of a new possible wave, Osterholm said that while it’s important for people to get both doses of the two-part vaccines, the country needs a strategy change to protect more Americans from what could come.
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“We still want to get two doses in everyone, but I think ahead of this wave, we should get as much one dose as we can in as many people over 65 as we can to reduce serious illness and deaths. weeks ahead, ”he told NBC.

Getting more first doses now shouldn’t mean giving up a second dose, Ranney said.

“We have to count on Pfizer and Moderna, and hopefully Johnson & Johnson soon, to fill that gap,” Ranney said. “Give everyone the doses you can get now and count on that increased production so you can get people adequately protected.”
To date, more than 25.2 million Americans have received at least the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while, according to CDC data, about 5.6 million have received both doses.

The problems facing states

Across the country, allocation and distribution issues continue to slow the pace of vaccinations.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear told CNN on Sunday, “If we have three issues, it’s supply, supply, and supply.”

While the state has the capacity to give 250,000 first doses per week, Beshear said, they are only scheduled to receive about 64,000 doses – a shortage that other states are also facing.

“The only thing keeping us from beating this virus next month is the amount of supply we get.”

A vaccination site intended to serve a hard-hit Latino neighborhood in New York City served more whites from other areas instead
Meanwhile, parts of the country are facing a different problem: racial differences in vaccinations.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday highlighted preliminary data showing clear racial disparity among New Yorkers who have received vaccine doses to date.

“What we are seeing clearly is the particularly marked reality that many more people from white communities are getting vaccinations than people from black and Latino communities,” said de Blasio.

In response, the city has expanded its list of neighborhoods most affected by the virus and will expand its reach, prioritize appointments and add new vaccine sites in those areas, among other efforts, the mayor said.

Inequality, De Blasio said, must be “tackled aggressively and creatively”.

CDC provides guidelines for Super Bowl

Meanwhile, following calls from health experts to double down on safety precautions, the CDC also has updated guidelines on the safest ways to watch the upcoming Super Bowl.
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The short version: Enjoy the game with only people from your household and let other guests join in virtually.

Attending large gatherings like the Super Bowl increases the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19, the CDC said.

For Americans who choose to attend major Super Bowl events such as viewing parties, the agency offered several recommendations, including calling the venue ahead of time to make sure they take safety precautions, following social distance guidelines, avoiding cheers, contactless use payment methods and keep a mask. always.

Their full list of recommendations is here.

Maggie Fox, Ganesh Setty and CNN’s Naomi Thomas contributed to this report.

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