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The efficacy of real-world vaccinations, updated travel guidelines for inoculates, and another increase in cases around the world. This is what you need to know:
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Headlines
Real-world study finds approved vaccines highly effective as drug manufacturers work to expand access
Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control released the results of a study that found that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines appear to be 90 percent effective in protecting against Covid-19 in the real world. The data is another promising indicator that these vaccines work really well, but more importantly, this does not mean that they offer complete protection; masking and distancing in public are important even if you have had both injections. As the last year has made very clear, our understanding of this disease and how to combat it is constantly evolving, so it is important that we all continue to take all the precautions that we know are effective.
Meanwhile, drug companies are working to expand approval and distribution. Pfizer announced this week that its vaccine appears to be safe and effective in teens as young as 12, while Johnson & Johnson began its own trial for people ages 12 to 17. And on Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it will allow Moderna to put up to 50 percent more doses in each vial in an amendment to its emergency use authorization. The change is expected to speed up distribution.
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 that it is low risk for them to travel domestically and internationally, although they should continue to take other precautions such as wearing a mask and adhere to the guidelines of social distancing. 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 are underway to create them, but doing so in an ethical and equitable way, and that protects people’s privacy, can be challenging.
This latest update from the CDC comes just days after its director warned Americans not to ease Covid-19 restrictions for now. Many Americans are giddy at the thought of a semi “normal” summer, but until vaccines are widespread, this virus will continue to evolve and spread.
Cases are increasing around the world, with some countries instituting new lockdowns while others are reluctant to take precautions.
In recent days, countries around the world, including Turkey and Bangladesh, have recorded their highest number of daily cases yet. The situation in Brazil remains particularly serious. São Paulo, its largest city, posted a record for daily burials this week, with cemeteries remaining open until 10 p.m. and gravediggers exhumed old graves to make room for new deaths from Covid-19. Even so, President Jair Bolsonaro still refuses to impose a blockade or any other strict measure that could slow the spread of the virus.
Cases also continue to rise in Europe, a situation for which the World Health Organization says the region’s “unacceptably slow” vaccination efforts are to blame. Right now, 27 European countries are in partial or total lockdown, including France, which will extend its measures to cover the entire country for four weeks starting Saturday.
Daily distraction
During the quarantine, photographer Andrew Gonzales began taking pictures of the redwoods in his neighborhood. These trees may appear lonely, but their survival depends on a massive, interconnected underground network.
Something to read
When she was appointed CEO of Match Group, the largest internet dating company on the planet, in March 2020, Sharmistha Dubey had earned a reputation as “a little oracle.” And when singles everywhere were suddenly blocked days after their date, he saw right away that online dating wasn’t doomed; instead, the pandemic would reinvent it.
Sanity check
Has the pandemic made you worry more about keeping your indoor air clean? Take a look at Ikea’s sleek new air purifier.
A question
What does social isolation do to our brain?
