Depending on where you live in America, it can feel like you're either in a coronavirus pandemic that's in decline (the Southern states, like Florida, have seen cases finally go down) or one that's raging more than ever. No one knows this more than virus expert Michael Osterholm who, as Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, studies the case data daily. He appeared on MSNBC's MTP Daily to issue his insight, and a warning. Read on for five life-saving pieces of advice—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.
Virus Expert Warned These States are Seeing "Unprecedented Numbers" of COVID Cases
"Right now the whole entire four corners area of the United States is seeing this major increase —the entire upper Midwest," said Dr. Osterholm. "We're seeing some unprecedented numbers right here in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, the Dakotas. And we're also seeing that in the far Northeast and in New Hampshire and Vermont. And what really is the challenge for us is understanding why, in some cases, the virus suddenly surges and then suddenly reduces its numbers. After that surge happens, we know the vaccine can make a big difference how big that surge is, but why it starts and stops? We don't know."
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Virus Expert Warned the COVID Virus is Really Darn Tricky to Figure Out
"Look right now, what's happening in Europe, in countries much more highly vaccinated than even the United States. Germany today is reporting out its highest number of cases on record during the pandemic. We're seeing that in other countries. Meanwhile, you have Africa, which has very, very low rates of vaccination, less than 6% of the population. And they almost have no activity. Now they will tomorrow. But right now we don't understand what makes this virus start and stop when it does these surges in these areas."
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Virus Expert Says You Can't "Run Out the Clock" on COVID
"This virus is different than flu viruses," said Osterholm. "This virus is different than most respiratory viruses, where it does not stop transmitting and tell virtually everyone is protected. So having 70, 80% vaccination rates doesn't guarantee it'll stop transmitting. It'll find those last 10 to 20% …You can't run the game, clock out on this one, it will find you. And that's what it's doing and why it's doing it. We don't understand. Explain to me why LA and New York, both areas with large unvaccinated populations have not seen any of the Delta surge yet. It's going to happen. It will happen, but why it isn't happening now and why it'll happen later? I don't know."
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Virus Expert Says Cases are Surging Terribly in Europe
Cases are surging in Europe. "Some of it might be" the vaccine wearing off, said Osterholm, "but in fact, it's also, again, anytime you have less than a hundred percent of your population protected, either through having been vaccinated or previously having had infection in some immunity from that, you're vulnerable."
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How to Stay Safe Out There
Follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don't travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
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