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Less than six months ago, the coronavirus crisis was in its deadliest phase. Now, with more than half the country at least partially vaccinated, Americans are seeing what life is like on the other side of the curve.
New daily COVID-19 infections have fallen dramatically in the United States, recently reaching their lowest levels since March 2020.
As of June 3, cases are down 94 percent from their peak, in January of this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of hospitalizations and deaths has also fallen dramatically, with the seven-day average daily death toll dropping to 363, compared to the thousands of deaths the country suffered every day at the beginning of the year.
Graph by Megan McGrew/PBS NewsHour
During a White House task force briefing on COVID before the Memorial Day holiday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walinsky emphasized that fully vaccinated people can spend time with their loved ones.
“All of this is possible because vaccinations are on the rise, and cases and risk of community transmission across the country is declining,” Walinsky said.
But she stressed that people who are not immune are still encouraged to take precautions such as wearing masks and staying away from others in public places to reduce their chances of contracting coronavirus. To date there is no evidence that the relaxation of mask guidance has led to an increase in transmission, and may have increased interest in vaccination.
As of June 7, more than half of adults in the United States have been fully vaccinated, and nearly 64 percent have received at least one dose. President Joe Biden’s goal is to at least partially vaccinate 70 percent of all adults nationwide by the July 4th holiday. He called for a “month of action” during June to get more Americans to vaccinate before that goal.
“All over the world, people are desperate to get an injection that every American can get at the drug store next door to them at no cost, without waiting,” Biden said during a speech encouraging those who haven’t been vaccinated to do so. And therefore.
Pushing the nation above Biden’s 70 percent threshold will require overcoming factors that make it difficult to get a vaccine, or that have persuaded some people to delay or avoid vaccination altogether.
The divide in Americans’ view of COVID vaccines extends largely along political lines. According to the latest PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll, 41 percent of Republicans said they did not intend to vaccinate, compared to just 4 percent of Democrats.
State governments across the country have offered incentives — from free beer to lottery drawings to tickets to sporting events and concerts — all meant to spice up the bargain for those who aren’t yet sold when they get their shots. The Biden administration has followed suit by facilitating free child care for parents who need a safe place for their children to go while they are vaccinated or recover from short-term side effects.
The White House is also launching new initiatives to enhance communication in communities where hesitation about a vaccine is widespread, and where residents who want a shot of the vaccine may find it difficult to find. According to the Associated Press, the administration mirrors Maryland’s program that supplies black-owned barbershops and beauty salons with educational potions and resources.
Walensky also touted the importance of vaccinating young people such as those aged 12 to 15, an age group that was recently licensed for Pfizer’s COVID vaccine. More than 200 teens were hospitalized with COVID during the first three months of the year. Nearly a third required intensive care and some were placed on ventilators. Walinsky emphasized that those results were “preventable”.
“I strongly encourage parents to vaccinate their teenage sons, as I have,” Walinsky said. She added that parents can contact medical professionals such as local pharmacists or the healthcare department with any questions they have.
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