This is Week 116 of the narrated COVID Apocalypse that just refuses to end. This week, Dr. Klotman addresses the smoldering US epidemic and its hot spots. The CDC web site cdc.gov COVID level tool shows us that Harris, Travis and Hays and Cameron counties are all Medium Risk this week. Williamson and Nueces are still Low Risk.
I mention these specific counties because this is where I have friends and family. Last week, most of these counties were Low Risk. So, if you live in a Medium or High-Risk County and are my age group peer, wear your mask in indoor spaces until things quiet down. Even if you are vaccinated and boosted, the newest COVID sub-variants can evade the antibody response that our current vaccines call forth. You will fare better than an unvaccinated person if you become infected, for sure, but why tempt fate?
There are brief mentions of Monkeypox and H5N1 bird flu in this week’s address. The risk that these diseases pose to most Americans today appear to be small, but we need to remain vigilant.