CoViD-19 Report … 3 Oct 2021
Topic: Can we control the continual spread of CoViD-19
Thomas Britt, MD, MPH, ACSM-CEP
In order to control or reduce the continual spread of CoViD-19 and its variants, we as a nation, need to
achieve Herd Immunity at a level between 70 – 90% of the population being immunized. Fully vaccinated,
indicates that you have received both doses of Moderna, and Pfizer mRNA vaccine or one dose of the
Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Note, patients who have survived CoViD-19, have developed naturally
acquired immunity, also benefit from taking the vaccines. More than 185 million in the United States are
fully vaccinated, representing about 55% of our population … far less the percent required for Herd
Immunity. Select States that are fully vaccinated:
• Illinois ….… 55%
• Indiana ….. 48%
• Arkansas … 46%
• Texas ……… 52%
Other than our northern and southern borders with Canada and Mexico respectfully, the United States is
essentially a borderless nation, with unimpeded travel from city to city or state to state. In Chicago, our
Positivity Rate is about 2.5%, however our neighboring State of Indiana has a rate greater than 9% (the
desired Positivity Rate is 5% or less). Therefore, travelling back and forth can be enormously problematic.
Arkansas and Texas has rates greater than 12% … again, travelling back and forth can significantly increase
the spread of CoViD-19 and its variants, especially since vaccine mandates and masking are not supported
while misinformation flows unimpeded.
Seventy-seven percent of the of the U.S. has received one dose of the vaccines resulting in 23% of our
population being unvaccinated nationwide. In Illinois 99% of CoViD patients are not vaccinated. Indeed
we have a pandemic of the unvaccinated. This percentage is quite similar in many other cities or states
where vaccinations and masking are frowned upon by some of the people, their elected political leaders
and select media outlets, even-though many of them are vaccinated. This is such abject hypocrisy! We the
people, must cease listening to their foolishness that has lead to increased morbidity and mortality.
We have now reached more than 700,000 deaths in the U.S. from CoViD-19 and its variants … nearly
100,000 have died since mid-June 2021. This number is greater than the annual deaths from Heart Disease
(659,000), Cancer (606,000) as well as the so-called Spanish Flu of 1918-1920 where 675,000 loss their
life. 700,000 deaths is catastrophic, and to a large extent, preventable, especially since we now have
vaccines that are safe, effective, available, readily accessible and free. The daily deaths from CoViD is
nearly 2,000 per day. If you do the math … we have about 90 more days this year … therefore potentially
another 180,000 deaths. This is a staggering sum of nearly 900,000 deaths since the advent of this deadly
contagious disease.
We have the tools to control or minimize the awful suffering and deaths from CoVid-19 and its variants.
Remember … an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure. It is paramount that you listen to science:
• Roll-up your sleeve and get vaccinated
• Wear your mask in enclosed crowed places
• Continue with proper hand hygiene