Read on Twitter
TL;DR: The vaccine is the opposite of wearing a mask.
(Explanation follows.) https://twitter.com/nataliexdean/status/1357011532106792960
(Explanation follows.) https://twitter.com/nataliexdean/status/1357011532106792960
Data seem to show that the vaccine will slow but not stop the spread of Covid-19; what it will do is protect vaccinated people from having serious or deadly (or in many cases, any) symptoms
Vaccinated people are only about 50% less likely to actually catch (and spread) Covid-19.
Vaccinated people are only about 50% less likely to actually catch (and spread) Covid-19.
If you wear a mask, you are less likely to catch severe Covid-19, but MUCH less likely to spread it.
If you get the vaccine, you are less likely spread Covid-19, but MUCH less likely to get severe Covid-19 (basically, you almost certainly wont).
If you get the vaccine, you are less likely spread Covid-19, but MUCH less likely to get severe Covid-19 (basically, you almost certainly wont).
The vaccine mostly protects *you*. Until the disease burns out by infecting basically everyone, or everyone is vaccinated, we'll still have to wear masks in public to protect those who won't or can't get the vaccine.
This also means that unlike with, say, measles, where it's disastrous for the entire population if even a few people aren't vaccinated, with Covid-19, people who are vaccinated (and probably re-upped against new strains every couple of years) have very little to worry about.
On the other hand, people who are *not* vaccinated, instead of mostly putting others in danger, will instead put themselves in danger.
Remember that even a moderate Covid-19 infection can result in serious long-term or permanent health problems, loss of taste and smell, etc.
Remember that even a moderate Covid-19 infection can result in serious long-term or permanent health problems, loss of taste and smell, etc.
So if someone is holding out on getting the vaccine, please remind them that it's the best way they can protect *themselves* against a disease that by fall we'll all be too stressed and tired to properly contain and they will absolutely catch and get really sick from.
Update: This data is from the Oxford adenovirus vaccine. It's unclear whether the mRNA vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer) protect against asymptomatic infection or prevent spread.
If they *do*, that's a strong reason to get the Moderna or Pfizer version, but it's not clear they will.
If they *do*, that's a strong reason to get the Moderna or Pfizer version, but it's not clear they will.
