COVID-19 UPDATE FROM JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY--4/16/21

"Even though we feel we've moved on, the pandemic hasn't."

Credit: CDC

I just tuned into the latest Covid-19 update from experts at Johns Hopkins University. Epidemiologist William Moss and Professor of Public Health Jennifer Nuzzo brought us up to date on the vaccine rollout, vaccine safety--especially the Johnson & Johnson blood-clot issue, and the current rates of infection across the US.

They point out that the CDC is evaluating the J&J problem and will meet and make recommendations a week from today. The blood clots that have been reported are very serious but extremely rare--about one per million, so the risks of the J&J vaccine are far less than the benefits. Still, Moss and Nuzzo are concerned that this will be a major setback for vaccine acceptance in the US and worldwide. "The next big problem will be addressing vaccine hesitancy," Nuzzo says.

Concerning the pandemic their bottom line was clear: we need to continue to be very careful.

Some quotes:

Moss:

     "Daily case numbers are still dangerously high."

     "We have to maintain our vigilance and hold the line a while longer."

Nuzzo:

     Even though we feel we've moved on, the pandemic hasn't.