Covid-19 or vaccines, what may give stronger protection against

WASHINGTON — The next few months of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be the most difficult yet, warned Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, who said the agency would cooperate with the incoming Biden administration.

https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1433094

https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1433093

Redfield’s remarks at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event Wednesday came as the CDC also announced some changes to guidelines for people after exposure to COVID-19.

His comments acknowledging that he would be leaving the CDC next year when President-elect Joe Biden takes office deviated from many other Trump administration political appointees.

“My time as CDC director is coming to an end in January. This nation was severely underprepared for this pandemic and I think we have to call it the way it is,” said Redfield, emphasizing that consistency in messaging and thoughtful interventions based on data will be key to mitigation.

“I know I’m going to do a lot of reflection when I get out in January because I do think that’s the key that we owe the next group is what did we learn, what did we learn that works, what did we learn that didn’t work?” he said.

The nation’s top public health official’s warning about an exponential rise in deaths over the next three months was unusually stark.

https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1433093

https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1433094

“December, January and February are going to be rough times. I actually think they’re going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation,” said Redfield. “The mortality concerns are real, and I do think, unfortunately, before we see February, we could be close to 450,000 Americans that died from this virus.”

But Redfield also noted that this number could change if the public becomes serious about following mitigation strategies.

“When you ask me the big question of how many people are going to die between now and Feb. 1, I’m going to really come back and say it’s really up to us,” he said.

https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1433094

https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1433093

Redfield also said the agency will release guidance this week to advise institutions like schools and companies to use testing for COVID-19 as routine screenings. The administration has sent tens of millions of rapid tests to states, many of which have been used to help reopen schools. But confusion over how to best interpret the accuracy of the results has frustrated many, particularly nursing home providers.

He also doubled down on the importance of in-person learning for children.

“Elementary schools are not a source of transmission,” said Redfield. “I think when the careful studies are done, you’re going to see that kids that are in virtual learning probably have a higher transmission rate than those that are in face-to-face learning.”

Redfield also said he anticipates that being vaccinated against COVID-19 will become a requirement for health care workers, and likely for long-term care facility workers or airline industry employees.

“The pandemic in the world is not going to be controlled for multiple years,” he said. “It will be a decision each industry will make but I do think there are certain industries that it will be important to protect their workforce and other industries where it might be important to protect their customers.”