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

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

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“We have a bit of a breathing room at the moment, but if these new variants are predominant in our country, we will be right back where we were in November and December and maybe even worse,” said Dr. Megan Ranney told CNN.

“The boom that is likely to take place with this new variant from England is going to take place in the next six to 14 weeks and if we see that happen … we are going to see something like we have not seen in this country before,” Dr . Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told NBC on Sunday.

But that’s not all. Last week, Minnesota officials announced that they had discovered the first U.S. case of the P.1 variant in a traveler from Brazil. Two states have also recently detected cases of a variant first identified in South Africa, prompting scientists to worry about a mutation that could make current Covid-19 vaccines less effective.

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

Expert urges to change vaccine strategy

Amid pressure for more vaccinations before a possible boom, Osterholm said that while it is important that people get both doses of the two-part vaccine, the country needs to change a strategy to protect more Americans from the future.
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‘We still want to get two doses in everyone, but I think before this boom we should get as many doses in as many as 65 people as possible to reduce serious illnesses and deaths. over the next few weeks ahead, ”he told NBC.

Getting more first doses now does not mean you have to give up a second dose, Ranney said.

“We need to rely on Pfizer and Moderna and hopefully soon Johnson & Johnson too to fill the gap,” Ranney said. “Give everyone the doses you can currently get and count on the 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 approximately 5.6 million have received both doses, according to CDC data.

The problems that states face

Across the country, the allocation and distribution problems are slowing down the rate of vaccinations.

Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky, told CNN on Sunday, “if we have three problems, it’s supply, supply and demand.”

While the state has the capacity to give 250,000 first doses a week, Beshear said they would only get about 64,000 doses – a shortage he said other states face as well.

“The only thing holding us back from defeating this virus next month is the amount of stock we get.”

A vaccination room intended to serve a hard-hit Latino neighborhood in New York has rather served more whites from other areas
Meanwhile, parts of the country have another problem: racial differences in vaccinations.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday highlighted preliminary data showing a clear racial difference among New Yorkers who have received vaccine doses so far.

“What we are seeing is clearly a very pronounced reality that far more people from White communities are getting vaccinated than people from black and Latino communities,” de Blasio said.

In response, the city has expanded its list of neighborhoods hardest hit by the virus, and will increase outreach, prioritize appointments and include new vaccinations in the areas, among other things, the mayor said.

According to De Blasio, the difference must be addressed “aggressively and creatively.”

CDC leads Super Bowl

Meanwhile, following calls from health experts to double safety measures, the CDC has also provided updated guidance on the safest ways to see the upcoming Super Bowl.
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The short version: enjoy the game with only people from your home and let other guests virtually participate.

“Attending major events like the Super Bowl increases the risk of getting and distributing COVID-19,” the CDC said.

For Americans who prefer to attend major Super Bowl events such as watch festivals, the agency offered several recommendations, including calling the venue early to ensure they take safety precautions, taking social distance guidelines, avoiding cheering, contactless payment methods use and hold a mask at all times.

Their full list of recommendations is here.

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

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