BeeLine: Confusing, Confounding and Contradictory

We all are familiar with the popular narratives that were repeated over and over regarding the Covid vaccines.

Two years ago as the Covid vaccines were just about ready to be rolled out we were told that the vaccines would prevent infection and transmission of the virus. We were promised that the end of the pandemic was at hand if enough people got vaccinated.

A year ago as cases were beginning to rise to unfathomable levels we were told that the vaccines were never intended to stop infection but getting the Covid vaccine would prevent serious disease and hospitalizations.

Do you remember last winter's surge?

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html

We were told that our hospital systems would crash if people did not get the vaccine.

We don't hear as much about Covid these days.

CNN, MSNBC and the mainstream media do not display Covid counters continually on their screens.

You would think that life for the most part has returned pretty much to normal based on news reports and our everyday lives.

For example, look at these college students at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio packed in to watch the USA play in the World Cup.

However, if you actually look at the data not much has changed with Covid compared to last year insofar as hospitalizations are concerned.

For example, look at hospitalizations for Covid in New York last year at this time compared to where we are right now.

Covid hospitalizations in New York are actually 55% higher in those age 70+ (the most vaccinated age cohort) than they were are at this time last year.

The all ages average is also higher this year than it was at this time last year in New York.

This is in a state in which 88% of everyone 18-64 has been fully vaccinated and 95% of those age 65+ are.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/new-york-covid-cases.html

The same is true in Florida in which 93% of those over age 65+ have been fully vaccinated and 74% of those 18-64 are.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/florida-covid-cases.html

The national numbers also show that new hospital admissions for Covid for those age 70+ are higher now than they were at this time last year although the all age average is down slightly.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html

How do you explain it based on everything that was "sold" to the American people on what the Covid vaccines would do?

The good news is that Covid deaths have not followed the upwards trajectory that hospitalizations have.

In fact, the 7-day average of deaths (250 per day) is near the lowest level it has been since the beginning of the pandemic.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html

This could be due to the vaccines.

It also might be due to better treatment protocols, a less virulent variation of Covid circulating or improved natural herd immunity.

Whatever the cause it is good news.

What is also interesting is looking at the current Covid deaths (7-day average) in the least vaccinated state (Alabama) compared to Puerto Rico that has a higher overall vaccination rate than any state.

Puerto Rico has over 3 times the death per capita than Alabama has right now. It also has over 3 times the cases per capita and 3 times the test positivity. Hospital rates are about the same.

81% of the population is fully vaccinated in Puerto Rico compared to 52% in Alabama.

Puerto Rico is also first in booster shots and Alabama is last.

The numbers tell a different story than the narrative would suggest.

How is this possible with what we have been told?

As far as the hospital system collapsing because of Covid, look at the chart from HHS below.

Total inpatient hospital beds utilized over the last two years have been remarkably stable.

What is most interesting is that staffed inpatient beds have declined by 100,000 (13% reduction) over the last two years in the midst of the Covid pandemic.

Note that hospitalizations for influenza is making a comeback after practically disappearing over the last two years.