COVID-19 cases are on the rise in California and several regions of the US.
Dr. John Swartzberg recommends using tests to detect COVID-19, whether bought over the counter or obtained from a doctor's office or pharmacy.
Immunity from previous infections or vaccination may not last long for people with weakened immune systems.
New variants, such as FLiRT (KP.3 and KP.2), are dominating infections.
Only about 5% of people are wearing masks in public places like shopping areas and airports.
Vaccines offer increased protection against symptomatic illness even with new variants.
COVID-19 cases are on the rise in California and several regions of the United States, with new variants such as FLiRT (KP.3 and KP.2) dominating infections. According to data from wastewater samples and health organizations, COVID viral activity has been steadily increasing over the last month-and-a-half.
Dr. John Swartzberg of UC Berkeley School of Public Health recommends using tests to detect COVID-19, whether bought over the counter or obtained from a doctor's office or pharmacy. A positive test result indicates having COVID, while a negative result does not guarantee being clear of the virus and requires repeated testing if symptoms persist.
Dr. Arthur Reingold of UC Berkeley estimates that only about 5% of people are wearing masks in public places like shopping areas and airports. Wearing a good mask reduces risk but is no guarantee against infection.
Vaccines, such as the 2023-2024 and upcoming 2024-2025 versions, offer increased protection against symptomatic illness even with new variants. However, immunity from previous infections or vaccination may not last long for people with weakened immune systems.
It is important to test yourself before gatherings with high-risk people and stay home if you have symptoms. If you don't have symptoms and test negative, it should be okay to meet with high-risk individuals.
Tests can expire, but their expiration dates on the box may differ from the actual expiration date. Double-check the FDA website for updated information on test expiration dates.
COVID cases are rising in California and the Bay Area, with a new peak of activity detected in wastewater samples.
Dr. John Swartzberg recommends using tests to detect COVID-19, whether bought over the counter or obtained from a doctor’s office or pharmacy.
A positive test result indicates having COVID-19, while a negative result does not guarantee being clear of the virus and requires repeated testing if symptoms persist.
Dr. Arthur Reingold estimates that only about 5% of people are wearing masks in public places like shopping areas and airports.
Accuracy
The CDC reports that the latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine can increase protection against symptomatic illness by 54% with the new variant, but only a small percentage of seniors, adults between 50 and 64 years old, and adults under 50 have received it.
Dr. Reingold plans to wait for the new variant booster before getting vaccinated.
New COVID-19 variants KP.3 and KP.2 have surged in recent weeks, causing the virus to be on the upswing in the United States.
People who have had COVID can be protected against reinfection for several months, but this timeframe could be shorter for people with weakened immune systems.
If you got the updated COVID vaccine in the fall, you likely still have some immunity to the new dominant COVID strains, but immunity tends to wane after six months or less and the vaccine wasn’t specifically targeted for new variants.
It may be wise to test yourself before gatherings with high-risk people. If you have symptoms, stay home. If you don’t have symptoms and test negative, it should be okay to meet with high-risk people.
Tests can expire but the expiration date on the box may differ from the actual expiration date. If your test says it’s expired, double-check it on the FDA’s website as they may have extended it.
Accuracy
As of June 25, COVID infections are likely growing in 44 states according to the CDC.
Hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID are also increasing.
Deception
(80%)
The article provides valuable information about COVID-19 and its variants, as well as recommendations for testing and prevention. However, it does contain some elements of deception through selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author quotes experts to provide context and facts about the virus but fails to disclose that these are not their own assertions. Additionally, the article uses language intended to create fear and anxiety around COVID-19, such as 'grim news' and 'summer cold.' These tactics are designed to manipulate readers' emotions rather than providing factual information.
As of June 25, COVID infections are likely growing in 44 states, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
You may also be more likely to encounter a mask mandate if you visit an oncology ward or intensive care unit in a hospital.
It may also be wise to test yourself before gatherings with high-risk people, like your grandfather or newborn niece.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains some inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority without providing evidence to support the claims. It also dichotomously depicts the situation with COVID-19 variants, implying a false dichotomy between having immunity through previous infection or vaccination.
. . . given the grim news, you may be wondering about your odds of contracting the virus and the latest recommendations on everything from testing to prevention.
Part of that is due to low vaccine turnout . . . only about 20% of Americans got the updated COVID shot in the fall.
<dummy00007>sistent with this false dichotomy, it later states: “You should test for COVID, especially if you’re high risk, when symptoms occur or after known exposures.” The article implies that testing is only necessary for those who are high-risk and symptomatic, ignoring the need for widespread testing to accurately gauge the prevalence of COVID-19.
The appeal to authority: “Some healthcare facilities have masking requirements, but it’s variable from institution to institution,” Russo said. You may also be more likely to encounter a mask mandate if you visit an oncology ward or intensive care unit in a hospital, he said.
A Covid-19 Summer surge has been occurring in the US since early June, 2024.
FLiRT variants (KP.3, KP.2 and KP.1.1) accounted for an estimated 63.9% of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the US during the first week of June, 2024.
Vaccination may not be completely effective against FLiRT variants.
Accuracy
]A Covid-19 Summer surge has been occurring in the US since early June, 2024.[
COVID cases are rising in California and the Bay Area, with a new peak of activity detected in wastewater samples.
New COVID-19 variants KP.3 and KP.2 have surged in recent weeks, causing the virus to be on the upswing in the United States.
Deception
(30%)
The article provides data from the CDC to support the claim of a Covid-19 surge, which could be seen as sensational. The author also discusses the FLiRT variants without mentioning any peer-reviewed studies linking these variants to the surge. Additionally, there is an emphasis on fear and uncertainty regarding these new variants, which could be considered emotional manipulation.
Data suggests that the U.S. has been experiencing a Covid-19 Summer surge since early June.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author uses an informal fallacy by making a dichotomous depiction of the situation, implying that there are only two options: either we take Covid-19 precautions or we let it spread and mutate. The author also makes an appeal to authority when stating that 'preliminary data has suggested' the Re for KP.2 may be 1.22 times higher than the Re for JN.1.
> many political and business leaders are not advocating for Covid-19 precautions such as face mask use and indoor air filtration and purification.<br>But the risks of more severe outcomes are still there. Therefore, it is a good idea to maintain appropriate precautions such as making sure that indoor locations are well-ventilated and wearing a face mask when you may come into close sustained contact with others who may be infected.<br>preliminary data has suggested that the Re for KP.2 may be 1.22 times higher than the Re for JN.1.
Bias
(90%)
The author expresses a bias towards the idea that there is a Covid-19 surge occurring and that it is being caused by the FLiRT variants. The author uses language such as 'front-and-center' and 'has been occurring for at least a month' to depict the surge as an extreme event. The author also expresses concern about the lack of precautions being taken against Covid-19, implying that this is contributing to the surge.
Data suggests that the U.S. has been experiencing a Covid-19 Summer surge since early June.
Indeed, emergency room visits due to Covid-19 from June 16 through June 22 were up 23.3% from the previous week.
It shouldn't be too surprising that yet another Covid-19 Summer surge has been happening.
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