So the .3 * 36 million is an attempt to estimate the number of folks who had COVID but don't know it for a certainty. Obviously it's an estimate. Originally Posted by texassapperOK, I'll help you make your point. About 25% of America has been infected by COVID, based on antibody tests. The CDC tracked these through about March or April and then stopped so that's a guess. So you've got 330 million (population) x 0.25 = 82.5 million Americans protected via infection.
167 million have been fully vaccinated. But some of those were infected with COVID. Let's estimate 15%. So then the % protected via previous infection and/or full vaccination would be
(82.5 million + 167 million x (1-0.15))/330 million = 68% of population.
So I think the % is higher than your estimate.
True. But you're also missing the data point that the Delta variant may be more virulent it is LESS deadly hence the switch to talking about the DEAD to the CASES. Who cares if everyone on the planet is infected by flu? It will kill some but it's not as serious of a health risk as drowning or being in a car accident. People break legs too but we don't force everyone to use wheelchairs. Originally Posted by texassapperSee my reply above to Speed Racer, I don't buy that it's less virulent. Otherwise you've got a good point. As more people get vaccinated and more get infected, more will be protected against severe disease. What you're suggesting may be a more likely scenario than elimination of the disease through herd immunity.
You go right ahead. I don't care if you double mask and wear a face shield. But the minute you start telling me I have to wear one, or get vaxxed, or anything else... you can FOAD. (in the nicest possible way) Originally Posted by texassapperI'm not going to tell you that you have to do either. I can kind of understand the problem many have with the vaccines, because of the misinformation circulating, but the mask thing is harder to understand. When Abbott had the mask mandate in effect, the majority of people in my community masked up, even though they were at "0" risk of every being ticketed or fined by law enforcement. It was kind of like a seat belt or speeding law that wasn't enforced. And it was a good thing IMHO when COVID was running rampant. Now that it's running rampant again, I don't think it would be a bad idea to leave it up to the communities and the school boards as to whether they want to have mask mandates.
The idea that it's worth starting a revolution on account of mask mandates that aren't enforced is crazy. I'm not saying you'd be one to do that.