United Airlines Lends A Hand

[oldman]

My former employer, United Airlines, has been chosen as the initial airline to deliver the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine. Of course, with so many doses needing to be delivered ASAP, I am sure that other airlines will also be aiding in this effort to get the needed vaccines to those people that have been chosen for immediate use.

With approximately 7.7 billion people in the world and for many of us, we will need two injections, this program is going to take some time to complete. How long? I really don't know, but the best estimates that I have heard is that we will need to continue wearing masks until at least 70% of the population has been inoculated. Dr. Redfield was estimating that perhaps by the middle of May, we may be able to remove the masks, but not to hold him to that estimation.

 

[StarSong]

Dr. Redfield was estimating that perhaps by the middle of May, we may be able to remove the masks, but not to hold him to that estimation.

That's assuming everyone who can be vaccinated does indeed get the vaccine. With 25%-40% of the US population saying they won't get the vaccine, and another portion unable to have it because of immune system problems or other disorders, getting to 70% will be a tall order indeed.

Unless things change drastically, I don't see American life going back to pre-Covid conditions by mid-May. Wish I believed otherwise but I don't.

 

[oldman]

That's assuming everyone who can be vaccinated does indeed get the vaccine. With 25%-40% of the US population saying they won't get the vaccine, and another portion unable to have it because of immune system problems or other disorders, getting to 70% will be a tall order indeed.

Unless things change drastically, I don't see American life going back to pre-Covid conditions by mid-May. Wish I believed otherwise but I don't.

That all may be true, but the realization is that we can’t expect to keep people locked down forever. We can already see the walls crumbling down. Maybe we should lower our expectations to 50% or whatever.

Many, many businesses have already collapsed and will not be returning. Unemployment numbers should be expected to stay above normal. If so, at some point, the economy has to become at least a bit iffy.

BTW, I will be flying tomorrow, so there some bright spots. At any rate, I’m going to stay positive and hope that May brings us some relief.

 

[StarSong]

50% isn't enough to provide herd immunity. 70% is the minimum according to epidemiologists.

I'd think that people will be motivated to get vaccinated if other countries deny entry (or re-entry to their own citizens) without documented proof of vaccination. International flights, cruises, and drive-across borders might be closed to those without proof of vaccines.

While it may be a citizen's right to travel freely within their own countries, other nations aren't obligated to accept the unvaccinated if they so choose.

 

[oldman]

50% isn't enough to provide herd immunity. 70% is the minimum according to epidemiologists.

I'd think that people will be motivated to get vaccinated if other countries deny entry (or re-entry to their own citizens) without documented proof of vaccination. International flights, cruises, and drive-across borders might be closed to those without proof of vaccines.

While it may be a citizen's right to travel freely within their own countries, other nations aren't obligated to accept the unvaccinated if they so choose.

I get the 70%, but what I have always wondered about is where do these numbers come from? How are they derived? People will give me numbers all the time pertaining to different things, stats, odds, etc. Coming up with the numbers has always been a mystery to me.

Haven’t you ever wondered how these numbers are derived? Maybe it’s 74%, or maybe it’s 65%. Confusing as all get out to me.