Bacon's Rebellion

COVID Still Kicks Flu Butt as Cause of Mortality in Va.

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by

James A. Bacon
in

by James A. Bacon

In the previous post I criticized Virginia’s response in 2020 and 2021 to the COVID epidemic, particularly the shutdowns that ignored the impact on jobs and the economy, foregone medical procedures, K-12 schooling, mental health and addiction. Let me emphasize: that’s not to say that COVID was not a huge public-health issue then… or that it doesn’t continue to be one.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has revamped the COVID-tracking features on its website, lumping in COVID with influenza and RSV under the heading of “respiratory diseases.” COVID is much diminished as a public health threat from its peak, but according to VDH still far exceeds influenza as a cause of mortality. Here’s a look at the past eight months:

There is more interesting data to be found on the VDH website. This shows the incidence of respiratory virus “outbreaks” — multiple cases of infection within a seven-day period in a setting that is epidemiologically linked.

It is useful to know that the overwhelming majority of outbreaks occur in long-term-care facilities. Watch out for grandpa and grandma! The vast majority of these outbreaks, by the way, are tied to COVID, not influenza or RSV.

Finally, there’s this revealing graph:

It turns out that Virginians are a whole lot more assiduous about getting their flu vaccines than their updated COVID vaccines. Only 10% of Virginians have gotten the latest COVID vaccine. Double the percentage took the jab for the flu vaccine… which is odd given the fact that way more Virginians are dying from COVID than the flu… but, then, maybe fewer people are dying from the flu because more people are taking the flu vaccine!

I get a headache trying to think it all through.

Personally, I’m sick and tired of getting poked. In the past couple of years, I’ve gotten vaccinated for COVID, the flu, shingles, and pneumonia. Good grief! Regarding COVID, I tapped out after the first booster shot. As long as I have natural antibodies floating around the bloodstream — and I know because I periodically get tested — I’ll hold off getting another COVID booster. But the virus continues to evolve, and eventually another booster might make sense.

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10 responses to “COVID Still Kicks Flu Butt as Cause of Mortality in Va.”

  1. Super Brain Avatar
    Super Brain

    Had Covid (third time)end of Aug early Sept. Have asthma if i get respiratory issues. Have concierge Dr so I get aggressive treatment for any issue. (concierge is worth it) Took Paxlovid.
    Sept 19 started asthma or a new infection. Sept 28 appendix ruptured. Sept 29 am surgery did fine. Sept 30 o2 dropped to 88 and white cells doubled.
    Oct 2 went home. Took to third week of Oct to work in office and Nov 1 to exercise.

  2. Virginia Gentleman Avatar
    Virginia Gentleman

    People aren't getting COVIT shots because Orange Man politicized the issue and now people are dying. But that's too much information for MAGA voters.

  3. LarrytheG Avatar
    LarrytheG

    re: " Only 10% of Virginians have gotten the latest COVID vaccine. Double the percentage took the jab for the flu vaccine… which is odd given the fact that way more Virginians are dying from COVID than the flu… but, then, maybe fewer people are dying from the flu because more people are taking the flu vaccine!"

    No surprise since COVID vaccines have been heavily demonized by some
    folks who question the vaccine and the science behind it.

    "Personally, I’m sick and tired of getting poked. In the past couple of years, I’ve gotten vaccinated for COVID, the flu, shingles, and pneumonia. Good grief! Regarding COVID, I tapped out after the first booster shot. As long as I have natural antibodies floating around the bloodstream — and I know because I periodically get tested — I’ll hold off getting another COVID booster. But the virus continues to evolve, and eventually another booster might make sense."

    I too have been poked a lot – since childhood and now that the science has identified other threats that vaccines have been developed for.

    Ever got shingles? Talk to folks that have. The shot is worth it.

    re: viruses "evolve" – as does Covid. Why recognize that the flu does
    but not covid?

    I just do not understand the thing with COVID.

    It's a highly contagious disease, worldwide, that can kill people and has and does and continues!

    So does Polio and many of the other diseases most of us do get vaccinated for. What changed? Why is Covid so different in this regard?

    The only difference between Covid and other deadly disease we get vaccinated for, in my view, is how anti-govt and anti-science folks got
    involved in the issue and a large number of ordinary citizens believed it.

    NOW, we'll have an avowed anti-Vaxxer at the highest levels of govt
    AND the new POTUS considering an EO against the use of fluoride and
    who knows what else happens to come to "mind" on his "staff".

    Anti-science and anti-govt in my view and I have to say, apparently more so in this country than most other developed countries.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/99f1b0ae8adfec7749016bbf353ff016b16c9205c65279e6c19b897d7531e4e3.png
    https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2023/05/16/what-americans-think-about-covid-19-vaccines/

  4. Teddy007 Avatar
    Teddy007

    But Trump was elected so the voters have spoken. It is time to shut down public health programs because they are unneeded.

  5. Nancy Naive Avatar
    Nancy Naive

    There are vaccines for these. Don’t forget your pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine, you old Boomer, you.

    Better hurry up and order one before RFKJr does away with vaccines altogether.

    CostCo. Buy a huge box of fluoridated toothpaste too. Word is that the old Birch John Society “Fluoride is a Communist plot” has finally reached the White House too.

  6. Eric the half a troll Avatar
    Eric the half a troll

    “But the virus continues to evolve, and eventually another booster might make sense.”

    Let’s hope you still can… 🤷‍♂️

  7. Nathan Avatar
    Nathan

    Why is there no serious effort to educate the public about the risk of low vitamin D levels, particularly among minorities? Vitamin D is inexpensive and widely available.

    Clinical data increasingly has shown that patients with low Vitamin D levels have a greater chance of COVID-19 infection—and severe disease and death. Now, research led by scientists from Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR), part of Main Line Health, points to an explanation for the link and provides evidence that higher Vitamin D intake can help fight off the disease.

    https://www.mainlinehealth.org/news/2023/04/13/study-shows-vitamin-d

  8. Lefty665 Avatar
    Lefty665

    JAB, don't forget your RSV shot. Looks like we only need that one once. It would be interesting to see how closely antibody tests come to matching the current covid variant and the current variant vaccine. Are they really a good indicator?

    40k covid deaths in the country so far this year and counting. It's still around and picking off the vulnerable.

    Those of us who are covid fragile have continued our constrained lifestyle. That means going to outside events where the risk is low, masking in indoor events we need to go to, and generally avoiding opportunities for exposure. The group of geezers I pick music with test each week before we gather and the room is well ventilated. The other downside for y'all is it gives me more time to natter here.

    Vaccinations and reducing risks for vulnerable populations look like they would have been a better choice than the widespread shutdowns we had. There's a lesson to be learned from our over reaction and the stream of misinformation that came out of Gov't. It was a bummer when I realized I could no longer rely on the CDC for reliable advice on disease, and even worse that Gov't was actively suppressing other informed opinion.

    If Trump's going to go after anyone, it would be nice to see Fauci at the top of the list for funding the gain of function research that brought us covid.

  9. walter smith Avatar
    walter smith

    I'm glad we're not in panic mode currently… I guess Covid is only panic inducing if an Orange Man is in office and running for re-election…

    Flu "culls" millions every year. The sick and infirm most at risk. Low Vitamin D and obesity likely the greatest risk components. I don't know if the "vaccine" (not a vaccine – a therapeutic, an experimental therepaeutic) is effective or not. I do know all the kids "vaxxed" was wrong. They didn't need it and many had bad reactions, which we still aren't allowed to talk about.

    As for the old and at risk, I think the decision needs to be weighed very carefully. All the factors should be considered against that person's health profile.

    I'm hoping Bobby Kennedy will make some progress on Americans improving our diets and health overall, and what I think is incredible corruption and compromise at the FDA…

  10. Nancy Naive Avatar
    Nancy Naive

    So,… who here will be buying unpasteurized milk? I’ve got a few spare dollars and I’d like to take out life insurance policies on you. I feel lucky.

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