It feels like a new day in America. Our president is overseas NOT embarrassing the country. The U.S. Senate just passed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. And - of course - we are all emerging from a year of isolation blinking into the bright light of society returning to some semblance of remembered normalcy. With the aggressive push of vaccines, the rates of infection and hospitalization are rapidly dropping.

That deserves some clarification... The rates are dropping in states where a large percentage of the states' population is vaccinated. There is a great disparity between the states, and - as one might expect - severe infections are highest in states with the lowest percentage of vaccinated residents:

One quick look at this list of states' percentages of vaccinated residents sadly reveals no surprises. The "blue" NE states are all at the top; the "red" southern and midwestern states are all at the bottom.

It's easy to joke (and I have) that these anti-vaxxers (who come to that position either due to political beliefs, or trusting randos on YouTube over scientists) will just Darwin Award themselves out of the gene pool and leave the country a little smarter. The sad reality is that they can also be carriers, and infect those too young or with valid medical reasons, preventing them from getting the vaccine even if they wanted. The results are predictable (from the 2nd link, above):

These yahoos who refuse to get vaccinated are putting their own (and other's) kids at risk. It's reckless endangerment.

I use this website to follow the COVID rates in various states. I certainly won't be visiting any that have elevated rates. Maybe that's a message that state governors and legislatures need to hear.

Just like wearing a mask, getting vaccinated protects yourself AND the ones you love. Protect your kids and your neighbors - get the shot.