An informed guide to the pandemic, with the latest developments and expert advice about prevention and treatment. |
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 | | Daily reported coronavirus cases in the United States, seven-day average.The New York Times |
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The English masking experiment |
England is taking a high-stakes gamble with its schoolchildren. Last month, the country sent millions of unvaccinated students back to school for in-person learning — without a requirement to wear face masks. Proponents of the plan say it's allowing a large majority of students to have a normal school experience, and it's better than keeping them home. |
But government officials insist their hands-off approach is vindicated by the numbers. Even with the large number of Covid-related absences, 90 percent of the 8.4 million students in state-supported schools are in classrooms, and the schools are functioning close to normally (a majority of absences are because of reasons other than Covid). |
Britain's daily case numbers in the population overall are also running several thousand lower than when schools opened in early September. This suggests that, thanks to the wide distribution of vaccines in the adult population, the reopening of schools has not driven a major new surge. |
England's policy reflects a long-held view that most children shake off the effects of Covid quickly and that relatively few of them require hospitalization. Some experts also argue that children transmit the virus less readily than adults. |
But critics liken the policy to a kind of national chickenpox party. Infections are rapidly rising among school-age children. About 1 percent of young people ages 10 to 19 are being infected every week, according to epidemiologists. A small number of those infected children, they said, will have lingering effects from long Covid. Others will end up in the hospital, and some will die. Scientists also add that Black and Asian children are more likely to be hospitalized from the disease. |
The approach in England is in stark contrast to that of the U.S., where masks are widely required. |
One reason that Britain can take such risks, scientists say, is that nearly all adults over 65 — a high-risk population — are fully vaccinated, meaning that there is less chance they will be infected. In parts of the U.S. with much lower vaccination rates, the consequences would most likely be worse. |
Fees for the unvaccinated |
If your partner or spouse is unvaccinated, it may cost you more in insurance fees — at least in Louisiana. |
The provider's decision to charge extra was similar to a policy implemented by Delta Air Lines, which said that it would charge any employee who remains unvaccinated an additional $200 per month to remain on the company's health care plan. |
Legally speaking, insurance surcharges are more complicated than simple employment mandates, which are widely considered legally sound. Federal law bars employers and insurers from charging higher prices to people with pre-existing health conditions. But the vaccine surcharges are being structured as employer "wellness" incentive programs, which are permitted under the Affordable Care Act. |
Warner Thomas, the president of Ochsner Health, said medical and religious exemptions to the policy would be allowed, adding that it was not a mandate. |
"The reality is the cost of treating Covid-19, particularly for patients requiring intensive inpatient care, is expensive," he said. |
Are you ready for the second pandemic winter? |
As we move into the colder months in the U.S., we're making plans for our second pandemic winter. |
Soon, it will be too cold for outdoor gatherings, evenings in the park or dining al fresco (at least, without a heater). Many of us will soon be spending more time indoors, where the virus can transmit more efficiently. |
Before the cold season starts in earnest, we would like to hear from our readers: How are you approaching the coming winter? |
Perhaps you're planning on hunkering down and taking up another pandemic hobby. Or simply moving your outdoor socializing indoors. Maybe you're still planning big family holiday gatherings, or avoiding them altogether. Whatever your approach is for this new season, we'd like to hear from you. If you'd like to participate, you can fill out this form here. We may use your response in an upcoming newsletter. |
What else we're following |
Being vaccinated and living in the South (where many others aren't) is exhausting. I work at a student recreation center. I think the school has seriously failed at enforcing Covid policy across campus, but it's better here than in other places. I feel like I'm going insane as I'm met with backlash and attitude when I tell other students to put a mask on. There's a reminder to wear a mask over the intercom every 30 minutes and it drives me crazy, I've even memorized it. All I can do is try to slow down, do my best and look forward to getting out of this. — Catherine Ladner, Baton Rouge, La. |
Let us know how you're dealing with the pandemic. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter. |
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