What Does the COVID-19 Delta Variant Mean to You?

Recently I mentioned how the new COVID-19 Delta variant was starting to cause a lot of problems. Both globally and here in the U.S.

I was hoping I would not have to revisit this subject so soon. But things have gotten much worse since that communication.

Whenever a new variant of a virus emerges, the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) try to judge how dangerous it is. In the U.S., they label them as a “variant of interest.” Or a “variant of concern.” Or a “variant of high consequence.”

As of this writing, the Delta variant is still a variant of concern. But that could change to “high consequence” soon. Well over one-half of the new COVID cases in the U.S. are from the Delta variant. Including 80 percent in areas of the Midwest and upper mountain states.

What Is It?

First let’s examine what the Delta variant is. Then we can look at some statistics and trends. And last, I’ll discuss vaccines and ask for your opinion.

The official name of the Delta variant is B.1.617.2. It’s one of four to emerge from India. Cough and loss of smell are less common than with the original. But fever, headache, sore throat and runny nose are present.

Medical experts say the Delta variant is at least 50 percent more transmissible than the Alpha strain, which originated in the UK. The Alpha strain was 50 percent more contagious than the original coronavirus from China.

Recently the Delta variant became the dominant strain in America. Dr. Anthony Fauci said, “It’s essentially taking over.” He added that the Delta variant is the “greatest threat” to the nation’s efforts to eliminate COVID-19.

New Cases Rising Again

The number of new coronavirus cases in America had dropped significantly as of recently. From a high of 300,779 on January 8 to 4,063 on June 20.

It certainly looked like we were emerging from the woods. If not completely out of them. Almost everything was opening up again. Including restaurants, bars, salons, gyms, etc. Facemasks were no longer required in most places of business.

But the numbers have been ticking up slowly but surely lately. Daily new cases reached 41,278 on July 13. More than one-half of the 50 states were seeing daily increases.

A vast majority of these new cases are blamed on the Delta variant. There is concern that if this variant continues to increase infections, as well as hospitalizations and deaths, things will get even worse in the fall. That’s when people will be spending more time indoors.

The ‘Fastest and Fittest’

According to Yale Medicine, the average person who becomes infected with the Delta variant spreads it to three or four people. That’s compared with transmission to one or two people from the original coronavirus strain.

This variant is being called the “fastest and fittest” of the variants by the WHO. Due to how quickly it transmits and how difficult it is to combat.

Dr. F. Perry Wilson is a Yale Medicine epidemiologist. Here’s what he says. “Delta is outcompeting everything else and becoming the dominant strain.”

And now we’re hearing about a Delta Plus variant. It’s considered a “subvariant” to Delta. It has a mutation that allows the virus to better attack lung cells. And potentially escape vaccines.

Are Vaccines Effective Against Delta?

There has been much talk about if and how well the current approved COVID-19 vaccines can fight off the Delta variant.

As I’ve expressed each time I discuss vaccines, we neither recommend nor discourage people from getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

We believe this is a personal decision. People should make it based on what they believe to be best for themselves and their families. But we do report vaccine-related information, statistics and comments from medical experts.

As of this writing, we’re told the vast majority of people becoming infected with the Delta variant are not vaccinated.

Many Young People Shunning Vaccines

States where vaccination rates are lowest – Southern and Appalachian states including Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia – are seeing higher new infection rates.

When hyper-local outbreaks occur, healthcare systems can become overwhelmed. That means sick individuals don’t get the care they need.

Many Americans getting infected these days are between 18 and 29 years old. Some attribute that to the fact that only 38 percent of those individuals are partially or fully vaccinated.

In some areas where restrictions were recently lifted, they’re being imposed again. Including Los Angeles County. That’s where public health officials are encouraging everyone to mask up in public places. Even if they’ve been vaccinated.

Mississippi Children on Life Support

Another area of concern is school-aged children. No vaccine has been approved for children under 12.

A vast majority of these children will return to in-school learning over the next several weeks.

A number of parents in Mississippi are panicking these days. Newsweek magazine recently reported that 10 children in the state were on life support due to Delta variant infections. Two others were in intensive care units.

The CDC recommends that unvaccinated children and adults wear masks and avoid crowds. As well as wash hands properly and often, and stay home if sick.

What Do You Think?

A while back we took an informal poll to see what our readers think about the COVID-19 vaccines. About 50 percent of you said you’d never receive one of those vaccines.

Approximately 25 percent said you would get a vaccine as soon as it was available. The other 25 percent said you’d take a wait and see approach.

I’d like to check back with you folks on this again. If you’re comfortable responding, please let us know how you feel.

  • “1” means you’ll never get the vaccine.
  • “2” means you’ve already received a vaccine or plan to soon.
  • “3” means you’re still taking a wait and see position.

Feel free to add a comment if you want to.

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Comments

Ken Moore - July 27, 2021

1 I will Never take the vax , have absolute zero trust in Government, Science, or Medical Officials, they lie and push disinformation on the public threw the CORRUPT News Media !

Charlene Mode - July 27, 2021

Here are my 2 cents. I’ve been a CCRN ( RN ) for many, many years. Entire practice in ICU’s, 12 15 hr. Shifts. I got my 2 doses of Moderna spaced apart, per vaccine protocols. This was back in March. No adverse effects. I’ve felt this part of the oath I’ve taken many yrs. Ago. This is a PUBLIC HEALTH issue. As any person admiitted to any hospital they come to us trusting, hopefully with the knowledge that we will do what is moral, and with compassion. And these patients deserve no less. They must have confidence that I’m as free of any disease, possible. In addition due to the ever changing variants, this can only continue when it finds a unvaccinated host “person” settles in to find a open environment, to spread and change. I honestly feel in a very short time we will see a variant of HIGH CONSEQUENCE. Thus I will double mask and face shield and cut any out trips to almost nil. Also I will say a extra prayer for the vaccinated patient the comes to and thru our intake, and they have a stroke, heart attack, severe accident…only to have NO room NO bed, NO staff to care for their medical situation…as every bed, room, and staff are caring for Covid-19. 2014 I got some fast track training in Ebola, from Serria Leone. I NEVER FELT SO INADEQUATE. OF LATE I’M FEELING VERY DISCOURAGED. I KNOW WE’VE BEEN THROUGH ALOT. BUT WE’VE LOST OUR PATIENCE, in our search for “normal” we have lost our Emotional Resilience. We all need to find reality, help each other. Reset, and gain some needed introspect. Think back on history, all that is here now, was there, in some form long, long ago. I’ts gonna get bad, but we humans have to rally, Again—-and --Again. We can do this!

Michael K Johnson - July 27, 2021
As I sat in the outer entry of a local hospital a few month’s ago in Des Moines,Ia. waiting for my wife to come out from seeing her mother recovering from surgery, I witnessed a somewhat shocking reality. They would not let me inside as only 1 visitor was allowed at a time & everyone required to mask up or go away. You could not even wait in the inner lobby ! Anyway the doctor’s & staff would enter & exit that door a lot. My point is many Nurse’s were clearly shaken, some crying as they exited. You saw everything in their face, fear, sorrow, disbelief, near rage ? A couple broke down as they exited no longer able to contain their emotion’s & feeling’s & in need of assistance, bigtime. This from death (COVID) being at the door & taking so many. My opinion is shake off the fear or bulletproof thought process or the conspiracy notion’s (I believe they exist in many form’s) & get vaccinated like I did. This shit is real, NO JOKE & it or a similar threat has the ability to decimate the entire population. I am not ready to die yet, prayed for another 35 yrs. to hit triple digit’s & do good works. Certainly do not want to be a carrier that transfer’s it & kill’s you, your child, anyone. That’s my 3 cent’s.
Bruce Large - July 27, 2021

2, please get a vaccine or a mask.

Sharon - July 27, 2021

2 Husband and I are fully vaccinated

Paulposch - July 27, 2021

2

Constance Haft - July 27, 2021

#2
Personally, at this point, I think it is idiotic (and dangerous) to NOT get the full vaccine. I think of what it must have been like in the days of Polio, or the Measles Vaccine—parents didn’t want their kids to get these diseases…maybe there were people who opted out, but it was never mentioned. And now, the people who say its their choice—FINE, just stay INSIDE, away from other living things because unvaccinated people DO get infected, not know it and pass it on to many, many even unknown people. And I would think that now, with the statistics saying that 95% of those infected DID NOT GET VACCINATED…RUN, don’t walk to the nearest vaccination place. What are you trying to prove???? This has ZERO to do with “politics” and I am sure I am not convincing anyone to change their mind…their minds will only be changed when they are breathing their last breath on some respirator in a some generic hospital bed where even their families are not allowed to see them to say goodbye.

Julie - July 27, 2021

I’m a 2… due to easily getting bronchitis and pneumonia just from allergies, I received the Moderna. People would NOT follow the mask or social distancing at all! (I work in customer service.) These people would come up and cough and sneeze on you and think its funny – it’s not. I would prefer to do what I can to protect myself as we can’t expect others to do the right thing.

Rudy - July 27, 2021

Hi, I am a 1 and so is my gf. Until they can tell us what is the shot for as it is NOT a Vaccine as it does not prevent you for getting Covid but only reduces the severity. I am not a test subject nor is anyone else. My doc told me to not get the flu shot but is trying to push the Covid shot on me and I told him" until you can tell me how/what it going to do and react to my meds then I might change my mind."

betty white - July 27, 2021

I am 82 yrs of age and have been vaccinated. Why if you are 65 or older one would NOT get the Pfizer or Moderna I fail to understand. That is unless you have an underlying condition and your doctor feels it might do further damage to you. My heart breaks for those people in nursing homes in New York and New Jersey who died of the covid-19 virus before a vaccine was available. Many thanks to governors of those states.😂

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