2019 Novel Coronavirus

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We don't have to wash our hands, and we can get up in peoples' business. I'll have none of that social distancing any more.

Except I will because I'm not particularly fond of people. Social distancing was never really an issue for me.
 
Some basic vaccination demographics from CDC (race, age) but nothing about politics:
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccination-demographic
and trend graphs by age:
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccination-demographics-trends
Here is some published survey data on potential other factors associated with COVID vaccination hesitancy:


Vaccine hesitancy and reasons for refusing the COVID-19 vaccination among the U.S. public: A cross-sectional survey
Ali S. Raja, Joshua D. Niforatos, Nancy Anaya, Joseph Graterol, Robert M. Rodriguez
medRxiv 2021.02.28.21252610; doi: Vaccine hesitancy and reasons for refusing the COVID-19 vaccination among the U.S. public: A cross-sectional survey

Results A total 663 respondents (37.8%) were COVID-19 vaccine hesitant (374 [21.3%] non-acceptors and 289 [16.5%] unsure about accepting). Vaccine hesitancy was associated with not receiving influenza vaccination in the past 5 years (odds ratio [OR] 4.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.26-5.07, p<0.01), female gender (OR 2.12, 95%CI 1.70-2.65, p<0.01), Black race (OR 1.54, 95%CI 1.05-2.26, p=0.03), having a high school education or less (OR 1.46, 95%CI 1.03-2.07, p=0.03), and Republican party affiliation (OR 2.41, 95%CI 1.88-3.10, p<0.01). Primary reasons for hesitancy were concerns about side effects, need for more information, and doubts about vaccine efficacy. Preferred sites for vaccination for acceptors were primary doctors’ offices/clinics, pharmacies, and dedicated vaccination locations.

Interpretation: people who were hesitant to receive the COVID vaccine were 2.41 times more likely to be Republican, 1.46 times more likely to have a high school education or less, 1.54 times more likely to be black, 2.12 times more likely to be female, and 4.07 times more likely to have not received an influenza vaccination in the past 5 years.

Here's some more data from December:

1619564672466.png
 
I find it a bit interesting that a very outspoken and predominantly democratic/educated (at least some college, compared to previous generations statistically) Gen Z/young millennials lead the way in the "wait and see" and "only if required" categories. Has that been skewed by the timeline of things reopening/restrictions being relaxed prior to immunization? They're also second to last on the "already got it" category, but that can likely be explained by the fact that they would fall dead last in most states for eligibility.
 
I received my second dose yesterday.

My take (on vaccine hesitancy): I try to look at the big picture and listen to the experts (Doctors, CDC, etc.) If they think it's a good idea to get the vaccine, I'm going to get it. I get the flu vaccine every year. Think in terms of masses. What would happen if every eligible person got the Covid vaccine? The benefits would far outweigh the harm/risks. That's how I see it anyway.

What if there was a flu vaccine available in 1917? Or put it another way, what if only 1/4 or 1/2 the population chose to get the polio vaccine in 1950 (or whenever it came out)? I just don't understand the mass hesitancy of getting a vaccine.
 
Gen Z/young millennials lead the way in the "wait and see" and "only if required" categories
Think about it this way: for the duration of Covid it has been told to us that healthy people handle it fine (minor symptoms, but distance because you may have it without knowing and spread it) and that was reiterated to millennials when the vaccine was rolled out and they couldn't get it for 4 months. You (CDC/govt) can't talk out of both sides of their mouth- you don't need this, we won't give it to you but oh wait you are supposed to come out in droves to get a shot now.

Also, I noted that the hesitancy info above that I looked at never included a option for "healthy" or "believes they are healthy enough to handle Covid". I believe that plays a big part in hesitancy.
 
I guess I just can't wrap my brain around being such outspoken proponents of masking up/distancing, but then be "meh" when it comes to vaccination. (FWIW, I'm an older millennial/xennial who masked/distanced diligently and got vaccinated ASAP, but am strongly against how local governments handled/still are handling it.)
 
I think the emergency use only label scares a lot of people away too. When they slap the officially approved label on it I think there will be another surge of willing takers. People want to wait and see the longer term effects if any, especially with a "new" delivery method.
 
What if there was a flu vaccine available in 1917? Or put it another way, what if only 1/4 or 1/2 the population chose to get the polio vaccine in 1950 (or whenever it came out)? I just don't understand the mass hesitancy of getting a vaccine.
My grandfather had polio. He was super angry about people not getting vaccinated and got a vaccine shot as soon as able. My grandmother wasn't able to get a shot, due to being immuno-compromised. He was like "If people didn't get the polio vaccine, how many more people would have been killed? It's a travesty!"
 
Mr snick's grandfather got polio. I just learned my grandfather had it too. He died when my dad was a teenager so it never really came up.

wouldn't wish it on anyone from the way Mr Snick's GF talked about it.
 
Think about it this way: for the duration of Covid it has been told to us that healthy people handle it fine (minor symptoms, but distance because you may have it without knowing and spread it) and that was reiterated to millennials when the vaccine was rolled out and they couldn't get it for 4 months. You (CDC/govt) can't talk out of both sides of their mouth- you don't need this, we won't give it to you but oh wait you are supposed to come out in droves to get a shot now.

Also, I noted that the hesitancy info above that I looked at never included a option for "healthy" or "believes they are healthy enough to handle Covid". I believe that plays a big part in hesitancy.
I guess the messaging about vaccination being mostly about protecting others is lost on these folks. Even with polio, 70% of cases are asymptomatic, and less than 1% resulted in flaccid paralysis, yet the Greatest Generation made damn sure everyone did their civic duty to protect those who were more vulnerable, by getting vaccinated to build herd immunity. The selfishness and "me first" attitudes of the current generations puts the Boomers to shame.
 
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New York and New Jersey are fast tracking reopening all businesses May 19th even though we are only 30-40% with vaccination progress. I guess it's still more restrictive than some other states who think the virus doesn't exist.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/cor...f-key-reopening-week-big-nj-news-due/3032296/
I saw a modeling study a few months ago that said when you reach about 40% vaccinated, new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths drop by around 80%. So it's not a bad target, given all the "vaccine hesitant" people (= A holes).
 
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