CDC Now Treats Unvaccinated The Same As Un-Boosted, Just As DeSantis Predicted
The CDC is moving goalposts again, changing the definition of 'fully vaccinated' to include a third shot.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky said Friday that the definition of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 could change at some point in the future.
Walensky was asked whether the administration is reevaluating the definition of full vaccination in light of vaccine booster recommendations and whether individuals eligible for a booster should receive one in order to keep their fully vaccinated status.
"Right now we don't have booster eligibility for all people currently," Walensky said. "We have not yet changed the definition of fully vaccinated. We will continue to look at this. We may need to update our definition of fully vaccinated in the future. But right now what I would say is, if you're eligible for a booster, go ahead and get your booster, and we will continue to follow."
White House Covid-19 Response Team and public health officials hold briefing — 10/22/2021 youtu.be
Any change to the current definition of full vaccination could have far reaching consequences because existing vaccine mandates could be adjusted to require people to receive a booster dose in order to continue being considered fully vaccinated.
Individuals are viewed as fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after getting a single shot of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine.
Those who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines are eligible for a booster six months after their initial series if they are 65 or older, or at least 18 and have an underlying condition, reside in long-term care, or reside or work in a high risk setting. A booster is recommended for people 18 and above who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine two months ago or longer..
"There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose," according to the CDC. "Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC's recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots."
The CDC reports that 67% of the U.S. population ages 12 and up has been fully vaccinated. "For surveillance purposes, COVID Data Tracker counts people as being 'fully vaccinated' if they received two doses on different days (regardless of time interval) of the two-dose mRNA series or received one dose of a single-dose vaccine," the CDC notes.
Vaccination of children ages 5 to 11-years-old could soon be green lighted as well.
Comedian and "Saturday Night Live" alum Jim Breuer says that he will not perform at any venues that require proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
In fiery remarks delivered via Facebook Live post, Breuer compared such requirements as "segregation" and said that he would "absolutely not" perform at any venues participating in the public health measures.
"Two quick updates on shows that you may think you may be getting tickets to or you already have tickets to: The Wellmont Theater in New Jersey — not doing it," Breuer said during his Facebook broadcast. "Also the Royal Oak Theater in Michigan, due to the segregation of them forcing people to show up with vaccinations — to prove you're vaccinated, to prove you've had a shot. I'm absolutely not doing those shows."
Breuer added that he believes the businesses are making the wrong choice and forcing people to give up their freedom of choice.
"What these establishments are doing are wrong," he insisted. "What this dictatorship is doing is wrong. ... I know I'm going to sacrifice a lot of money, but I'm not going to be enslaved by the system or by money, and nor should anyone that wants to laugh or be entertained."
He added that he, his wife — who has Stage IV cancer — and his daughter all had COVID-19 and lived to tell the tale.
"I have to stick with my morals," the 54-year-old comedian continued. "I have to stick with what I know is right. As a human to another human, when you have to be forced, bribed, dictated — which is basically what is going on. ... No matter what your feelings are in it — I don't care if you're vaccinated. That's great. It's a choice."
Breuer added that he'd also rather "go bankrupt and make a stance and not segregate."
"If you try to segregate my audience or my following ... I'm walking away," Breuer continued.
He concluded, "If you have anything else to say, I honestly don't care. So don't leave comments going, 'Oh, this is a good thing.' I highly disagree with you, and I will always disagree with you."
Anthony Morrison, who is the general manager of the Wellmont, told NorthJersey.com that he had no intention of changing his venue's policy despite Breuer's announcement.
"Our policy is put in place to protect the concertgoer, the artist and the employees of the theater alike. We wish Mr. Breuer well and hope to see him at the Wellmont Theater down the road," he told the outlet in a statement.
At least 26 fully vaccinated Carnival cruise crew members and one vaccinated passenger have tested positive for COVID-19, the Associated Press reports, just ahead of the ship's stop in Belize City.
The Carnival Vista, which is carrying more than 1,400 crew and nearly 3,000 passengers, was headed back to Galveston, Texas, last Friday after having stopped in Mexico.
The outlet reported that a statement from the Belize Tourism Board noted that all 27 people with confirmed cases had mild or no symptoms and were in isolation.
The statement also noted that "99.98% of the ship's crew was vaccinated, as well as 96.5% of its passengers."
On Friday, Carnival said that it was managing a "small number of positive COVID cases," the Washington Post reported.
"Carnival is managing a small number of positive COVID cases on Carnival Vista sailing out of Galveston," a statement from the company said. "This despite all of our crew and almost all of our guests being vaccinated. We have managed the situation utilizing stringent health protocols which included placing those who tested positive in isolation and close contacts in quarantine."
Carnival added that the cruise line now requires guests to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding regardless of their vaccination status.
According to CNBC, Carnival is requiring all passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with exceptions made for children and people with medical exemptions.
A spokesperson for the popular cruise line told Axios that the company "has a process in place to randomly test a large percentage of the crew multiple days per week," even those who have been fully vaccinated.
"The health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the destinations we visit is our priority. All activities on the ship are taking place and our guests have been terrific at adapting to our new protocols," the spokesperson added.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has quietly updated its guidelines regarding fully vaccinated people getting tested following COVID-19 exposures, according to a Thursday Insider report.
Before this week, the report noted, the CDC "maintained that fully vaccinated people did not need to get tested for COVID-19, unless they developed symptoms."
During July 8 White House briefing, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said that the organization saw no reason to "test for those who are asymptomatic."
The CDC, citing new data showing that vaccinated people may be able to transmit the COVID-19 Delta variant as easily as those people who are unvaccinated, is now urging people who have been in close contact with a COVID-19 patient to get tested three to five days after exposure in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
On Tuesday, the outlet reported, the CDC quietly released the newly updated guidelines.
During a Tuesday press call, Walensky said, "Some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variant after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendations."
The new guidelines read, "If you've been around someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you don't have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative. You should isolate for 10 days if your test result is positive."
Walensky in a Thursday New York Times report was quoted as saying that the updated guidance "recommends vaccinated people get tested upon exposure regardless of symptoms."
"Testing is widely available," she added.
The report added, "If the results come back negative, they can stop wearing masks indoors. If the results are positive, the infected should isolate at home for 10 days."
On May 13 — after more than a year of masks and social distancing — the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finally amended its guidance to say that fully vaccinated people could return to nearly all aspects of normal life.
But for some fully vaccinated people, the news did not alleviate deeply felt fears about health and safety that had become embedded into their psyche. Rather than experiencing a sense of freedom, some continued to feel anxious about rejoining regular life with its crowds, open air, and free-floating pathogens.
"After a year in isolation, many people who have developed an intimate understanding of what it means to socially isolate are afraid to return to their former lives despite being fully vaccinated," the Scientific American reported.
It turns out there is actually a name for this psychological phenomenon: it's called "cave syndrome."
"Emerging into the light after a year locked inside is proving to be a difficult transition for some people," the report, published in May, went on to say. To prove the point, it detailed the experiences of one fully vaccinated Flint, Michigan, resident who explained that she has become even "more fearful of infection":
After being diagnosed with COVID in November 2020, Andrea King Collier doubted the antibodies that she had developed in response to the illness would protect her from a second infection and was determined to be first in, or near the front of, the line for a vaccine. The Flint, Mich., resident registered at every vaccine distribution site she could find and never stopped looking for a way to receive shots early.By February 21 Collier had received her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. But when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave the green light for vaccinated people to resume prepandemic activities such as gathering indoors without masks on March 8, she did not experience the sense of freedom she had imagined. If anything, she became more fearful of infection. She has yet to eat in a restaurant or see anyone beyond her pandemic bubble. Formerly an avid traveler, Collier says she cannot imagine getting on an airplane again in the foreseeable future.
Two months later, and the strange psychological condition is still plaguing many. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that scores of individuals who are fearful of plunging back into social activities "are awkwardly declining invitations out, avoiding throngs of people and dreading, or even putting off, the return to workplaces."
One example, the Journal noted, is a 49-year-old product management consultant in Rockland County, New York, who still insists on only meeting up with friends if the engagement can be outdoors. Another is a middle-aged father in Dublin, Ireland, who felt uncomfortable celebrating his birthday with family:
For much of the Covid-19 pandemic, Laura G. Bustamante longed for the weekend nights when she used to drive into Manhattan to meet friends, often at karaoke bars in the Koreatown neighborhood.
She's now fully vaccinated, and many New York City bars and restaurants have reopened. Yet Ms. Bustamante says she doesn't feel ready to return to her pre-pandemic jaunts to the city, and she is only comfortable meeting friends there one-on-one, preferably outdoors.
... Eoin Hamilton says he "had a knot in my stomach the entire time" while celebrating his 43rd birthday with family at a hotel in Dublin in early July.
Psychiatrists say that "cave syndrome" symptoms vary in their degree. While some only feel anxious in large groups, others refuse to venture outside their homes at all.
But the effects of "cave syndrome" have been felt by a larger portion of society than one might imagine. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association earlier this year discovered that nearly half of adults anticipated being uncomfortable returning to normal life post-pandemic. Vaccinated adults were just as likely as unvaccinated adults to anticipate feeling uncomfortable.
Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida has tested positive for COVID-19 despite already having been fully vaccinated against the illness.
His positive COVID-19 test came after he had "very mild flu-like symptoms," according to a news release which noted that the lawmaker is quarantining at his home.
"I look forward to returning to work as soon as possible," Buchanan said in a statement. "In the meantime, this should serve as a reminder that although the vaccines provide a very high-degree of protection, we must remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19."
Buchanan, 70, has served as a U.S. House member from the Sunshine State since 2007.
A statement from Congressman Buchanan: https://t.co/LvWVD3ZtVd
— Rep. Vern Buchanan (@VernBuchanan) 1626703807.0
Five Texas state lawmakers who flew to Washington, D.C., last week in an effort to block legislation they oppose have recently tested positive for the illness, and all are said to have been fully vaccinated.
"All of the HDC Members who tested positive are feeling good, with no symptoms or only mild symptoms," the Texas House Democratic Caucus said in a statement on Sunday.
NEW: Two more Texas House Democrats test positive for coronavirus, both vaccinated.“All of the HDC Members who te… https://t.co/BnfdzQEzqL
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) 1626653667.0
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 48.6% of the total U.S. population has been fully vaccinated, while 56.1% of the population has received at least one dose.
While the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines involve two shots, the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine involves just one shot.
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University there have been more than 34 million COVID-19 cases and more than 609,000 deaths in the U.S. so far.
The CDC says that a small proportion of those fully vaccinated against the illness will become ill, get hospitalized or even pass away from COVID-19.
"Vaccine breakthrough cases are expected. COVID-19 vaccines are effective and are a critical tool to bring the pandemic under control. However, no vaccines are 100% effective at preventing illness in vaccinated people. There will be a small percentage of fully vaccinated people who still get sick, are hospitalized, or die from COVID-19," according to the CDC.
"Real Time with Bill Maher" announced Thursday that its host — who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — has tested positive for the virus and that his Friday show has been canceled.
The tweet from the HBO show added that Maher "is asymptomatic and feels fine."
"'Real Time' production has taken every precaution following COVID CDC guidelines," the tweet added. "No other staff or crew members have tested positive at this time."
Maher issued his own tweet on the situation:
Thanks to all wishing me get well - hard to do since I feel perfectly fine, but I appreciate it! Most upset about e… https://t.co/BlHyssSCf9
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) 1620953860.0
"Thanks to all wishing me get well — hard to do since I feel perfectly fine, but I appreciate it! Most upset about ending my streak going back to 1993 of never missing a Politically Incorrect or Real Time episode," he wrote. "Oh well, even Cal Ripken had to sit one out at some point."
Given that Maher is an atheist and a liberal who regularly skewers conservatives, Republicans, and those who ascribe to religious faith, one might assume that those on the left would be in his corner and wishing him the best.
But Maher of late has been criticizing leftists for their dangerous and misguided behavior and self-inflicted injuries. In fact, on his program just last Friday, Maher went after Democrats for being "fun-suckers" and even compared them to the Republicans of the 1980s and '90s.
Content warning: Language:
New Rule: Sex, Drugs & GOP | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)youtu.be
And so, with their familiar brutality on full display, more than a few leftists were quite happy to hear that Maher contracted COVID-19 — and wished him nothing but the worst.
Imani Gandy — an editor for Rewire News Group who boasts over 230,000 Twitter followers — posted the following:
Me: Ugh, Bill Maher is trending again. *seconds later*Also me: lol
— ⚓️🚢Imani Gandy 🚢⚓️ (@AngryBlackLady) 1620995809.0
Brianna Wu — executive director of Rebellion PAC — seemed to wish Maher well at the beginning of her tweet. But the sentiment was short lived:
Sending Bill Maher my best, since he has Covid 19. Sure hope his health care won’t require any Muslims, women, Mi… https://t.co/aHq4HVeUSk
— Brianna Wu (@BriannaWu) 1620955029.0
Barbara Malmet — an artist and activist with nearly 250,000 followers — said in her tweet about Maher's positive COVID-19 result: "Karma is a bitch."
I stopped watching Bill Maher during the pandemic when I thought his attitude towards public safety precautions was… https://t.co/EuWfwifmQz
— Barbara Malmet (@B52Malmet) 1620947872.0
Blue-check marked writer Alicia Lutes got cute with her tweet:
Bill Maher contracting covid is the actual funniest thing he's done in decades.
— Alicia Lutes (@alicialutes) 1620948827.0
Others shared similar sentiments:
The following are a few other examples of Maher pulling no punches with his left-leaning brethren: