Guest columnists
Health experts are puzzled by the significant drop in the number of new cases of COVID-19 in both the U.S. and the rest of the world. Why is the number of new cases decreasing? The hypothesis advanced here is that we may be getting much closer to herd immunity than the mainstream media has led us to believe.
The media tends to focus on the negative in order to maintain viewership. Yet there is reason to look on the bright side. The following represents the best-case scenario.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 83.1 million people in the U.S. have been infected with COVID-19. (We are assuming this includes the 26 million people who have tested positive as well as people who were asymptomatic or had only mild symptoms.) The population of the U.S. is 329.5 million. So, 25.2% of people in the U.S. have been infected. That means 25.2% of people in the U.S. may have some level of natural immunity.
‘Felt a moral obligation to help’: Gainesville’s Firefighters took part in Moderna vaccine trial
In August, several members of the Gainesville Fire Rescue team volunteered to become a few of the 30,000 participants in Moderna’s Phase 3 COVE vaccine trial Photo by Ashley Hicks | The Independent Florida Alligator
In August, about 10 members of the Gainesville Fire Rescue team volunteered to become a few of the 30,000 nationwide participants in Moderna’s Phase 3 COVE vaccine trial.
For the past six months, GFR has worked with ENCORE Research Group at the Jacksonville Center for Clinical Research.
The select firefighters who participated in the vaccine trial were allowed to share the application with their families and friends. Chief David Sutton, District Chief o
The excitement surrounding the introduction of safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 has been tempered by the fragmented and disjointed distribution effort. While a shortage of available vaccine is the root cause of the problem, the vaccination plan also has missed opportunities to leverage the resources and expertise multi-specialty group practices can offer.
SIMEDHealth is an independent health care organization servicing 80,000 unique patients in north central Florida. We have the capacity and capability to vaccinate our patients quickly and safely, but only if we are a consistent part of the vaccine distribution plan.
President Joe Biden set a goal of 100 million vaccinations in 100 days and to reach this goal he issued a plan emphasizing the need for as many vaccine access points as possible. This plan in Florida includes community vaccination centers and other facilities.
Gainesville City Commission moves forward on emergency order on bar and restaurant restrictions
The order will mirror a recent Tampa Bay mask mandate
Denise Garcia and Jeffery Davis wear face masks in downtown Gainesville. Photo by Hannah Phillips | The Independent Florida Alligator
Gainesville city commissioners voted to draft an emergency order Thursday evening to tighten mask requirements in bars and clubs.
The order, which passed 4-3, comes after a monthlong debate about a possible shutdown in the city and county commissions as students returned to UF campus. While the emergency order passed, the policy itself is still under development.
There were 105 new COVID-19 cases in Alachua County Friday, according to the Florida Department of Health. As of Sunday night