More summer camp outbreaks have been recorded; experts are advising schools to be vigilant when they reopen. The fact that schools have more defined schedules and routines than camps will likely help. At least seven states--Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Montana, Oklahoma, and Utah--have passed legislation to restrict public schools from requiring either vaccination or documentation of vaccination status. More generally, as of June 22 at least 34 states had introduced bills limiting the requirement that someone demonstrate vaccination status or immunity in order to do something or go somewhere. Thirteen states have already enacted such legislation: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
Covid cases are surging in 45 states, meaning at least 10 percent more new cases in one week. In 34 states, new cases are up by at least 50 percent. Only Maine, South Dakota, and Iowa are showing decreases in the 10 to 50 percent range. Delaware and Arkansas are showing no change in either direction. In general, patients are younger. The common denominator of those with serious enough cases to be hospitalized is that they are unvaccinated. A CNN medical expert advises that unvaccinated people either continue to wear masks and socially distance or get vaccinated. One or the other; they can't have it both ways.
In the "what the hell" category, Tennessee's top vaccination official was fired after facing scrutiny from Republican state lawmakers over her department's efforts to get teenagers vaccinated. She had written a memo describing a 34-year-old legal doctrine that suggested ways in which teens could get immunizations without parental permission.
South Korea's major league baseball enterprise that kept on playing through the early months of the pandemic in 2020 has suspended their season after five players tested positive. Cases in South Korea are now at the highest levels of the pandemic. In Seoul, gyms have been told not to play fast music because it leads to rapid breathing that can spread more viral particles.
The announcement of new restrictions in France has led to an increase in vaccination appointments. As of July 21, someone will need proof of vaccination or a negative test result to visit a cultural venue or amusement park. In August, such proof will be needed to visit restaurants, shopping centers, hospitals, and retirement homes as well as to take long-distance transportation.
Malaysia shut down a vaccination center after 204 staff and volunteers tested positive. Of the 453 workers, 400 or 88 percent had been vaccinated. Most of the 204 workers who tested positive had low viral loads, meaning their cases were less severe. The clinic will reopen with new workers after deep cleaning. People who got vaccinated there have been urged to self-isolate for 10 days and get tested if they show symptoms. This incident happened in the state that has been hit the hardest by the current surge. Only 11 percent of Malaysia's 32 million residents have been fully vaccinated; at least one fourth have been at least partially vaccinated. Some days, you just can't win.
In other news, the Tokyo Olympics are still a go. This could get very interesting very quickly.
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