A spike in Covid-19 cases, fueled by the Delta variant, and combined with shortages in heathcare workers means hospitals are overwhelmed with patients.
After more than 18 months of a pandemic, with 1 of every 545 Americans has been killed by COVID-19, and a third of the eligible population refuses to get vaccinated. About 99% of America’s COVID-19 deaths today are people who did not get shots. Yet the unvaccinated – who are more susceptible to infection and more likely to spread the disease – also resist wearing masks.
CDC data shows 70% of U.S. adults have had at least one shot of a Covid-19 vaccine. 12 States have fewer than 60% of adults with at least one shot. Mississippi, at 50% of adults, has the lowest rate, followed by Wyoming at 52.2% and Louisiana at 53.6%.
booster shots start next month for healthcare workers and the elderly. While not yet approved by the FDA, more than one million Ameircans have already received a third dose.
CDC research on the Delta variant shows that people who are vaccinated but become infected carry as much virus in the nasal passage as those unvaccinted, even while mild symptoms may go unnoticed leading to more transmission. Only measles appears to spread faster than the Delta variant.
Citing the low vaccination rate and rising cases, the Dallas ISD Superintendant imposed a mask mandate in defiance of the Governor’s state-wide ban. Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio school districts did the same, and the county of Dallas soon followed in challenging the Governor’s order. At the same time, all children’s ICU beds in the state are full, meaning one child must die or recover before another can get a bed. Meanwhile, New Zealand put the entire country under a three-day lockdown following the discovery of one Covid-19 case.
A new coronavirus mutation known as the lambda variant that is thought to have increased resistance to vaccines has appeared in the United States. Researchers found the lambda variant contains three mutations on its spike proteins that make it more infectious than the original virus. Two other mutations on its spike proteins make it about 150% more resistant to antibodies produced by the vaccines.
Canada reopened its border to vaccinated Americans, and France is requiring a vaccine pass for citizens and tourists to use trains, visit public places and eat in restaurants.
In Germany, a nurse who objected to the Covid-19 vaccine administered 8,600 saline placebos instead of the real shot.
Other News in July 2021
Taliban leaders declared victory over the United States on August 31 from the tarmac of Kabul airport, hours after the withdrawal of the last American troops. The Taliban captured the country quickly because the Afghan military laid down their arms and walked away, leaving American-supplied tanks, helicopters and airplanes. Afghanistan has been likened to the fall of Saigon, with the US sending thousands of troops back in to evacuate Americans from the Kabul airport. They also evacuated more than 100,000 Afghans who served as interpreters, drivers, or advisers to the U.S. military. Afghans desperate to leave the country clung to a military jet as it took off, with several plunging to their deaths and one body stuck in the landing gear. During the evacuation, two ISIS-K suicide bombers attacked the airport, killing 169 Afghans and 13 American troops. While President Biden promised to stay until all Americans were out, some were stranded as the US observed the end of August deadline to evacuate.
On August 29th, the 16-year anniversary of Katrina, Hurrican Ida hit New Orleans with 150 mile per hour winds. More than one million people lost electric power when trees and power lines were blown down. Critical Covid patients in hospitals were moved as emergency deliveries of water commenced.
Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of New York, resigned following an investigation by the state attorney general that found he sexually harassed multiple women, most of whom worked for him, and also retaliated after some complained.
The new UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) study shows that human activity is changing the climate in unprecedented and sometimes irreversible ways. The authors say that since 1970, global surface temperatures have risen faster than in any other 50-year period over the past 2,000 years, and the past five years have been the hottest on record since 1850. The IPCC says to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius requires changes at all leves of society. Limiting the rise would require carbon emissions to be cut in half by 2030 and net-zero emissions reached by 2050. Otherwise, the two degree C limit would be reached between 2030 and 2052.
The US 2020 Census was released, which is used to redraw election districts for federal, state and local offices. Since the last census in 2010, court cases have weakened federal oversight, which is expected to result in more gerrymandered districts. The census shows that America’s white population is shrinking, and the US is growing older. The population grew at only 7% which is the lowest growth rate since the Great Depression. There are now six states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico where non-Hispanic Whites make up less than 50% of the population, including California. Hispanics went from 13% of the population in 2000 to 20% now.
Americans in California and the rest of the West suffered an extreme heat wave, as more than one hundred large wildfires burned millions of acres. Some of the fires were set by a mentally unstable former college professor who was living in his car and traveling across Northern California. Fires spread across Europe as many countries suffered a record heat wave.
Shortages from hoarding and supply chain problems drove inflation to 5.4%, the highest inflation rate in 13 years.
Despite the unemployment rate remaining above 5% and the U.S. economy being millions of jobs short of pre-pandemic levels, many businesses have reported difficulty finding workers. Workers are quitting at high rates, which led to an extra one million job openings last month for a total of 10 million open positions – mosting in leisure and entertainment, plus healthcare.
The Biden administration is trying to extend the renter’s eviction moratorium. The original moratorium on evictions was imposed by Congress as part of the coronavirus relief package in March of last year. When it expired, the CDC issued its own moratorium based on its authority to take steps to protect public health. But landlords are suing, claiming the CDC lacks the authority.
The Olympics were held in Tokyo, Japan a year late and without spectators amid a surge of Covid-19 cases. TV viewership was half of the last Olympics, but many used YouTube or a streaming service to watch.
The State Fair of Texas announced the finalists in its fried food competition, including:
Crispy Crazy Corn — Fried sweet corn nuggets topped with pulled pork, pineapple slaw, jalapeño crema and cilantro.
Deep Fried I-35 — A sweet-and-savory kolache filled with brisket, peaches and Dr Pepper glaze.
Deep Fried Seafood Gumbo Balls — Fried bites loaded with shrimp, chicken, blue crab meat, and andouille sausage and served with a side of dark roux sauce.
Pork Shots — Smoked sausage, wrapped in bacon, then stuffed with mac and cheese. The makers call it “a party in your mouth”.
The US obesity rate grew to 42.4%, up from 30.5% in 2000. 9% of those severely obese. another 30% of the population is overweight.
On the US Mexico border more than 200,000 migrants, mostly from Central American countries, tried to enter the country last month. It was the highest monthly total in 20 years. Half are immediately deported, but tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors are housed and then reunited with immigrants already in the country.
