Coronavirus - Herd Immunity In Los Angeles

Los Angeles reported that 1 out of every 3 people in the County have been infected with Covid-19. We may be the first population group outside of Sweden to try herd immunity. Herd immunity to a virus is when 60-80% of a population has a virus' antibodies in their system. We are already at 33% infected. At this rate, in another couple of months we could hit 60%.

Los Angeles opened its first vaccination super center this weekend with a trial run for 2,000 people. They hope to inoculate 12,000 people a day when it is fully operational. That would be 120,000 people every ten days. Good numbers. I look forward to those numbers increasing as more centers are opened.

With the coronavirus' exponential spread and vaccinations hopefully increasing exponentially as well, we may have herd immunity even sooner and Los Angeles may go from a hot spot crisis zone to a beacon of hope.

I watched a CNBC report that Israel has enough vaccinations for everyone over 16 by March. It was quite fascinating as LA County's website predicts I will be vaccinated for Covid-19 sometime in May or June. How did Israel do it (Israel/US):

- Population 9 million / Los Angeles County 10 million (US 331 million) - Universal health care / Combination state run, private medical care (US is the only developed nation in the world without universal healthcare by the way) - Large vaccination centers have been running for over a month / LA opened first center Friday - Standby line for anyone if unused vaccine is available at end of day / nothing similar in LA - Reserved enough doses for entire population from 1 supplier / US reservations were spread across suppliers - some still waiting for FDA approval

Hopefully, the US can learn best practices from its fellow countries: universal healthcare, more vaccination centers, standby lines, follow up on research and target the most promising drugs to reserve in advance.

California has floated the idea of a standby line - online standby. A more expensive and time consuming process, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

In conclusion, there is hope. The two waves of coronavirus vaccinations and infections are rushing together. It seems like one way or another Los Angeles will acheive herd immunity much sooner than predicted and lockdowns will be a thing of the past.

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly

Coronavirus Vaccine Is Here - Right?

The end is near…in a good way.

The coronavirus vaccine has arrived!

Actually, not here in the US - but in other parts of the world. England vaccinated its first person with the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday. Bahrain has also approved its use.

So when do we get the shot in the U.S.? Can I go to Spain next summer after canceling the trip last summer?

Looking at timelines, I was surprised that it takes approximately 30 days to be protected against the virus from the time you take the first shot. The two part shot has to be taken 3 weeks apart. I did not realize it would take that long. Considering the first to be vaccinated are healthcare workers, the elderly, and people at high risk, it could be well in to the summer before I can get my first shot. There goes Spain.

Looking on the bright side, by the time I am vaccinated any side effects should be ironed out.

It also means that means next summer will be a time for more awesome road trips. I have always wanted to drive across country. Time rack up those free hotel night rewards!

As I finished writing this post, I saw a headline that a FDA panel just approved the Pfizer vaccine for US use. Let the countdown to my vaccination begin.

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly (usually Tuesday)