Different Takes: What Defines A Pandemic?; Ways To Get The Vaccine To The Most Vulnerable

Stat: Why Aren't Diseases Like HIV And Malaria Called Pandemics?
The furor about vaccine nationalism and sharing doses of Covid-19 overshadows a fundamental issue: What is an equitable definition of what counts as a pandemic? The use of that word isn’t just semantics: It’s about who we care lives or dies. As high levels of vaccination coverage in high-income countries enable their citizens to gradually resume normal life, much of the focus in the capitals of G7 countries is shifting from fighting Covid-19 to preventing future pandemics. It makes sense for them to seize the moment to make themselves safer from future threats. (Peter Sands, 7/6)

USA Today: COVID Vaccine: Helping The Vulnerable Requires Personalized Focus
Millions of Americans are getting back to normal this summer, visiting relatives, shopping at small businesses and traveling to their favorite beaches or parks – all thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine. Yet, racial gaps in our nation’s health care recovery persist. For many Black, Hispanic, Latino and Indigenous people, who were two to three times more likely to get sick and die of COVID-19 and whose vaccination rates trail those of white people, this summer looks a lot different: an empty seat at the dining table, continued fear of COVID-19 or uncertainty about how to get the vaccine. (Bruce Broussard and Matt Eyles, 7/9)

The Boston Globe: The Unnecessary Death March Of The Unvaccinated 
Last month, COVID-19 killed 130 people in Maryland, all unvaccinated. At least 160 children and adults at a Texas church summer camp tested positive for coronavirus; only six of those infected were vaccinated. Hospitals in Springfield, Mo., are so overwhelmed with cases among the unvaccinated that they’ve run out of ventilators and are transferring some patients to other parts of the state. President Biden is begging Americans to “please get vaccinated now.”“It works, it’s free, it’s never been easier,” he said Tuesday. “It’s never been more important. Do it now for yourself and the people you care about — for your neighborhood, for your country. It sounds corny, but it’s a patriotic thing to do.” (Renee Graham, 7/9)

The Baltimore Sun: Keep The Mask Mandate For Kids Under 12 Until They Have Access To A Vaccine 
The COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over. At least, it isn’t for millions of unvaccinated people around the world including almost 50 million American children under 12 years old who are too young to be eligible for vaccination. And yet with the lifting of the statewide and citywide mask mandate on July 1, some local summer camps and Baltimore County Public Schools are dropping their masking requirements not just for vaccinated adults and teenagers, but for unvaccinated elementary school aged children as well. As a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and a proud Baltimore City Public School parent, I believe this is a huge mistake. (Jeanette Beaudry, 7/9)

Bloomberg: Covid Delta: Should I Still Wear A Face Mask After U.K. Freedom Day July 19? 
In the U.K., July 19 is being called Freedom Day. To some, it will feel a bit like England winning the Euros. After 15-plus months of setbacks, uncertainty and constraints on everyday life, there will be something to celebrate: Brits can congregate without restriction and are free to bin or burn their face masks if they want. Masking up will no longer be required in public spaces or even on public transport. But everything we know about this virus suggests proceeding with caution. Keeping a mask mandate in certain crowded settings costs little and can help reduce virus transmission, especially going into the autumn and winter. It would also reinforce a culture of safety. Instead, mask-wearing is likely to become more politicized. (Therese Raphael, 7/9)

Kansas City Star: With COVID Delta Surging, Missouri Needs To Wear Masks Again
Missouri’s COVID-19 crisis is worsening. Which means we do have to go back to wearing masks in more situations. We wish this weren’t the case. We wish Gov. Mike Parson and those around him would work harder to convince Missourians to get their shots. Wednesday, Parson said the state might put up $5,000 or $10,000 as vaccine incentives, which shows you how unserious he is, and just how much he values human life. (7/9)

Chicago Tribune: Parents, Help Our Schools. Get Teens Vaccinated. 
Gov. J.B. Pritzker dove into Illinois’ share of federal coronavirus relief funds to dangle a carrot in front of Illinoisans who, for whatever reason, have yet to get vaccinated. Get inoculated, and get a shot at a $1 million lottery prize. Three students will win $150,000 scholarships. Officials at Chicago Public Schools aren’t offering any such incentive to parents to ensure kids get vaccinated. They shouldn’t have to. (7/8)