As we type this sentence, from a state with a high concentration of COVID-19 (Florida), it takes 5 hours to get a COVID test at the nearest walk-in clinic.It took three hours the day before.It was only one the week before.As the Delta variant of the coronavirus preys upon the unvaccinated, the coronavirus thrives here and across the South.What’s the next step in your state?Dr.Anthony Fauci is the chief medical advisor to President and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He spoke to the Center for Strategic and International Studies about antivirals for COVID-19 and other viral diseases that could spread worldwide.
1.Here’s what Dr. Fauci predicts will happen next
Dr. Fauci stated that although it was complicated, he believes it will be possible.“You never can guarantee it’s going to be accurate, but I think this is what’s going to happen–since an acceleration of vaccines doesn’t give a result until several weeks after, we are already on a trajectory that looks strikingly similar to the sharp incline that the UK saw.Remember, the average number of cases per day went up from 12 to 15,000 to 20, 30, 40 to 50, 60 and now we are at 70.We will soon have between 100-200,000 cases before things start to improve.To ensure that vaccines don’t accelerate further, but slow down and begin to come down, we need to reach the 93 million eligible people who can be vaccinated.Continue reading to find out what he believes will be a “gamechanger.”
2.Dr. Fauci Believes That Unvaccinated States will Come Around to Get Vaccinated
“I believe that we will see–and it’s interesting, even though 40% of all infections in the nation are found in three states, or 20% in Florida, that’s only one state of 50 that accounts for 20% or more. Yet, we are seeing that the average rate of vaccination in these states with high levels of infection is higher than in the rest of the country.This is a sign that states that have been most affected by the rise in infections are realizing that they need to be vaccinated.We’re also seeing governors from these states, as well as others who were previously not interested in getting vaccinated, going out and talking about it.
3.Dr. Fauci says the FDA’s full approval of vaccines could be a “gamechanger”
“I think the thing that is going to make a big difference, and it will be somewhat of a game-changer is when the FDA approves the vaccines. People who are afraid to get vaccinated due to the fact that they don’t believe the FDA emergency use authorization is sufficient proof that the vaccines are safe and effective will reconsider.Although there is ample, ample evidence to show that the vaccines are highly effective and safe, you will see more people vaccinated.You’ll also see more confidence in local vaccine mandates from enterprises.While you won’t see a federal mandate, there will be more colleges and universities that have been approved for vaccines. They’ll also start mandating vaccines once they are covered.We will see an increase of vaccines and that is going to solve the problem.We wouldn’t be having this discussion if the vast majority of people were vaccinated.
