Viewpoints: Is The UK Handling Delta Better Than The US?; Florida Hospitals Must Mandate Vaccinations
Opinion writers weigh in on the delta variant, vaccine mandates and vaccine hesitancy.
Bloomberg:
The U.K.'s Delta Experience Seems Better Than America's. Will It Last?
For much of the pandemic, Britain provided a cautionary tale in how not to manage a crisis. It charted some of the world’s worst death rates, a care home infection fest and a series of policy reversals that sorely tested public trust. Should it now be the country the U.S. looks to as an example of how to live with the delta variant? While U.K. infection rates rose after restrictions were lifted on July 19, they have been declining since the end of the month and hospitalizations remain low. Deaths are still 7.2% above the pre-pandemic five-year average, though that’s a statistic that could take more time to fall. (Therese Raphael, 8/6)
The Washington Post:
Florida Doctor: Mandate Coronavirus Vaccines For All Health-Care Workers
Want a job in Florida at Disney World, Cindy Lou’s Cookies or Empanada Harry’s? You’ll first need to get vaccinated against covid-19. Applying for a job at a Florida nursing home or hospital? No proof of vaccination required! This discrepancy is infuriating to those of us who work in hospitals and follow the peer-reviewed science on coronavirus vaccination — in a state that earlier this week recorded its highest number of covid-19 hospitalizations, breaking last year’s record. (Erin N. Marcus, 8/5)
The Atlantic:
The Vaccines Are Still Working And They're Miraculous
As delta surges across the country, many fully vaccinated Americans are wondering how much their shots still protect them. There’s reason to be confused. Pfizer says its vaccine becomes less effective with time. Moderna says its doesn’t. And Johnson & Johnson says its vaccine holds up against the Delta variant, but not everyone agrees. (Craig Spencer, 8/6)
Scientific American:
Vaccine Mandates Are Lawful, Effective And Based On Rock-Solid Science
The U.S. has reached a worrying plateau in its COVID-19 vaccination coverage, with just half of the population fully vaccinated. This coincides with pandemic fatigue, or weak compliance with COVID-19 risk-mitigation measures such as masking and distancing, and the highly infectious Delta variant, which accounts for more than 83 percent of infections. We’re at an inflection point in the pandemic, with coronavirus infections soaring by about 140 percent in the past two weeks. (Lawrence O. Gostin, 8/5)
The New York Times:
No, The Unvaccinated Aren’t Just Being Difficult
On a July day in downtown Lowell, Mass., the first sunny Saturday of the month, people began to line up for a block party. Food trucks offered everyone a free empanada or egg roll. A D.J. played music. There were kid-friendly activities, too, like a touch-a-truck station with a fire truck and an ambulance. The party wasn’t just a way to have a good time. The real motivation was to get people in the community vaccinated against Covid-19. Nestled between the food trucks were ones offering Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. (Bryce Covert, 8/6)
Los Angeles Times:
No More Playing Around For The Unvaccinated
It may soon be tougher to be unvaccinated against COVID-19 in Los Angeles — and that’s a good thing. Last week, state agencies and the city of Los Angeles imposed rules requiring their employees to be vaccinated or submit to regular testing, and this week L.A. County officials moved to mandate vaccines for their workforce. Other employers have mandated immunization as well. Since then, the rate of vaccinations in California has increased. (8/5)
The Star Tribune:
Counterpoint: I'm Vaccine Hesitant, And Here's Why...
Enough already. We vaccine hesitant types are not buying what government and media are peddling ("Vaccine questions? Experts have answers," Aug. 3). For me, it is not that I am anti-vax. It is about those who have the latest information not sharing that information, so that we "hesitants" could make an informed decision that is right for us. This is not intended to be a political or counter-view rant. It is intended to help the vaccine pushers understand what we hesitants are thinking and how you/they can better convince us that getting the vaccine would be a smart move. (James Todd Adams, 8/5)
USA Today:
Virus Surges Among Unvaccinated. Why They Refuse Shot
Today, our front page encourages people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. I agree completely with the message because overwhelming evidence shows vaccines save lives, but wonder if it will make a difference. Those against the shot are adamant in their beliefs. One of them is my brother. (Nicole Carroll, 8/6)
