The effectiveness of vaccines in the real world, updated travel guidelines for the vaccinated, and another increase in cases worldwide. Here’s what you need to know:
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Recipes
An actual study finds that approved vaccines are very effective because drug manufacturers work to increase access
Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control published results of a study that found that the vaccines Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were 90 percent effective against protection against Covid-19 in the real world. The data is another promising indication that these vaccines work really well, but it’s important that it does not mean that they provide complete protection – masking and distancing in public is important, even if you both got photos. As the past year has been exceptionally clear, our understanding of this disease and the way it fights is constantly evolving, so it is important for everyone to continue with the precautions we know to be effective.
Meanwhile, the drug companies are working to expand approval and distribution. Pfizer announced this week that the vaccine appears to be safe and effective in teens as young as 12, while Johnson and Johnson are starting a trial for people aged 12 to 17 years. And the Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday that Moderna has administered up to 50 percent more doses in each vial in an amendment to the emergency use authorization. The change is expected to accelerate the spread.
The CDC says fully vaccinated people can travel if they take other pandemic precautions
This morning, the CDC issued new travel guidelines for people who have been fully vaccinated, saying it is a low risk for them to travel domestically and internationally. The possible return to activities such as air travel has raised questions about how people will prove they have been vaccinated. There has been talk of ‘vaccine passports’, and many plans to create them are under way, but it can be a challenge in an ethical and fair way and the protection of people’s privacy.
This latest update from the CDC comes just days after the director warned Americans not to ease Covid-19 restrictions yet. Many Americans are crazy about the idea of a semi “normal” summer, but until vaccines are widespread, this virus will continue to develop and spread.
Cases are increasing worldwide, with some countries introducing new closures, while others are resisting
In recent days, countries around the world, including Turkey and Bangladesh, have recorded their highest daily number of cases to date. The situation in Brazil is still particularly dire. São Paolo, its largest city, recorded daily funerals this week, with cemeteries open until 10pm and tombs digging up old graves to make way for new deaths from Covid-19. Nevertheless, President Jair Bolsonaro continues to refuse a lock-in or any other stringent measures that could limit the spread of the virus.
Cases continue to rise in Europe, a situation for which the World Health Organization says the region’s “unacceptably slow” vaccination efforts are to blame. Currently, 27 European countries are in a partial or complete exclusion, including France, which will extend its measures to start the whole country from Saturday.
Daily diversion
During the quarantine, photographer Andrew Gonzales began taking photos of the rooibos in his area. These trees may seem lonely, but their survival depends on a massive, interconnected, underground web.
Something to read
By the time she was appointed CEO of Match Group, the largest internet dating company on the planet, in March 2020, Sharmistha Dubey had a reputation as a bit of an oracle. And when singles suddenly lock up everywhere after her appointment, she immediately sees that online appointments are not doomed – instead, the pandemic will find out again.
Sanity Check
Did the pandemic make you more worried about keeping the air indoors clean? Check out Ikea’s sleek new air purifier.
A question
What does social isolation do to our brain?