The Latest: Don’t panic about the latest immunity news
Dear Reader,
Cases of Covid-19 are surging in the U.S. More than 74,300 new cases were reported on Monday, which gets the country’s daily average over the past week to over 71,000. As the New York Times reports, this is the most in any week-long stretch during the pandemic.
If there’s any silver lining to this, it’s that experts anticipate that the number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 on any given day should be lower today than it was over the summer. Why? The way doctors treat people hospitalized with Covid-19 has improved and that appears to be translating to shorter hospital stays and move lives saved.
Even still, over 20 states are reporting Covid-19 cases at or near record levels. And this will still strain hospital resources. The pandemic is extremely fatiguing (I am OVER it). But now is not the time to get lazy about masks!
P.S. If you need tips for a safe Halloween, here’s some epidemiologist-backed advice. 🎃
Here’s what’s new:
- Case count: There are over 8.7 million confirmed cases in the U.S. and over 44 million confirmed cases worldwide. So far over 226,700 Americans have died from Covid-19.
- Russia orders a national mask mandate: Effective Wednesday, masks will be mandatory in crowded public spaces, such as public transportation, parking lots and elevators. Read more.
Follow our Medium Coronavirus Blog for regular updates, and read some of the essential stories we’ve curated below.
Be well,
Alexandra Sifferlin
Editor, Medium Coronavirus Blog
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A Quick Q&A
Does Covid-19 immunity wane over time?
A new study released this week in the U.K. suggested that antibodies to Covid-19 wane over time. However, some experts are criticizing the way the findings are being covered and interpreted. As Yasmin Tayag reports for the Blog, it’s hard to quantify the amount of antibodies a person gets after infection during a short study period. A decline in antibody levels after the initial illness does not necessarily mean the body has waning immunity to the virus, and antibodies only represent one part of the body’s immune response. Experts say the findings of the new study are expected. Read more about how to interpret them here.
New on the blog:
Covid-19 Bullshit Exposed in 5 Simple Graphics
White House Finally Announces Coronavirus ‘Plan’: Let ’Er Rip
No, Hospitals Are Not Inflating Covid-19 Cases
America Needs a National Mask Mandate ASAP
Questions About a Covid-19 Vaccine Linger After the FDA’s Advisory Committee Meeting
Masks for All Could Save 130,000 U.S. Lives by February 28
Essential explainers:
A No-Excuses Guide to Wearing and Caring for Face Masks
Covid-19 Hospitalizations Are on the Rise — Here’s What You Should Know
The Most Important Takeaways from the FDA’s Big Covid-19 Vaccine Meeting
A few more smart reads:
The Upside to Fewer Cancer Screenings in 2020
Some Covid Survivors Have Antibodies That Attack the Body, not Virus (New York Times)
The Difference Between Feeling Safe and Being Safe (The Atlantic)
