First off, let's stipulate that the virus doesn't care about politics. It's doing what it does. Like a wildfire, it grows when there is dense fuel. It slows when fuel is sparse or covered in retardant. Or when all the fuel has turned to ash.
But I thought this was an interesting visual, separating the states Trump won from those he lost.
Surely, politics has nothing to do with the pandemic primarily in states that have low vaccination rates: states like Florida, Texas, Missouri, Alabama and Mississippi.
As an aside, I think that we need to stop stop focusing on mask wearing. Having unenforced recommendations are worse than useless. Also, the mask currently used will not protect anyone from the variant. Since I am vaccinated, and would have a very low viral load even if positive, my wearing a mask might help protect others.
But, let's be clear, the issue is the failure to vaccinate. Republican governors and other leaders are starting to see this obvious fact.
ACTION PLAN
1) Push the CDC and FDA to make a determination of final approval or not of the 3 vaccines used in the US.
2) Fast track the evaluation of boosters. Too many of those vaccinated get the virus. The vaccinated don't end up in the hospital, but they do get sick. Boosters can avoid this.
3) Order the military, all federal employees, and all contractors to require vaccinations for everyone without a religious or medical reason for not taking one. In those cases, provide duty assignments where these unvaccinated folks will cannot infect others. There is no question with regard to the legality of employers having these requirements. And, no one should be subject to firing until the vaccines are given final approval.
4) Suggest that state and local government units require vaccination. NYC suggests that private companies have such requirements, but doesn't require them for city employees.
5) Suggest that large private businesses require vaccinations, or have restrictions on work assignments for the unvaccinated. Many, many companies already do this.
BOTTOM LINE
These actions would present actions that will indeed reduce the number of those who end up in hospitals. And these actions would show that the federal government really does want to take strong steps where they have the power to do so.
I would expect that many states will choose another direction. One approach is to choose an alternative strategy that leads to herd immunity (the FL strategy): let everyone get the variant as soon as possible. After that, we will be able to go back to normal. Unfortunately, it is unclear how effective being infected is in preventing future infections (and the severity of the effects of such infections).
