A Third COVID Shot?

 It's not even fall yet and the number of new Covid infections is increasing faster and earlier than last fall. As another round of Covid sweeps across the country, the experts are suggesting a third dose of vaccine. This version of the virus they claim is much more contagious than previous strains. You also have to keep in mind that last year at this time we were in lockdown. Now, stores and restaurants are open and people are attending shows and concerts. As of today, 52% of the population has received 2 doses of vaccine. 

Will another shot make a difference if 40% of the population hasn't had any vaccine yet? Maybe for people who have weak immune systems. I have read several news reports about vaccinated people getting infected with the delta strain. The vaccine needs to be re-formulated to do a better job of resisting the latest strain. They need to quickly adjust the vaccine to respond to mutations. If not, the next mutation could not only infect us easier, but also kill us faster too. 

The only thing that will slow the infection rate (other than 100% vaccination) is another shutdown. But, after seeing how the last shutdown affected our economy, it will be a difficult decision. The number of patients in the hospital will most likely be the determining factor. Southern States, with lower vaccination rates, are seeing rapid increases in hospital admissions. If the rate of hospitalizations increases in other parts of the country, another shutdown will be the only option to quickly slow the rate of transmission. The government really can't afford to hand us more money, if the economy shuts down again. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.