Projections
Although the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer recognized as a public emergency by experts, it is important to recognize that the virus is still present. People have started to loosen their personal protective precautions, but the fight against the virus remains crucial, now more than ever.
Herd Immunity has not yet been achieved in the United States despite the fact that 70% of our population has been fully vaccinated. This is because new variants that are more contagious are emerging which are capable of infecting vaccinated individuals. Thus, we need to continue to stay proactive and continue to fight against COVID-19 in order to mitigate the risk of future hazardous mutations.
Endemics occur when the threat that a pathogen poses is no longer serious enough to classify it as an emergency, but that pathogen continues to wreak havoc on society by regularly infecting individuals in waves. This can happen when viruses get the chance to mutate and become more resilient against our protective measures.
🟥 Red counties have the highest risk of endemics. This means that they have to start placing more attention on preventative measures, including vaccine education, public awareness, and community-wide safety protocols.
🟨 Yellow counties have an average risk of experiencing endemics. While some of the strategies they are currently using are working, they must increase risk mitigation, including public awareness, and vaccine education.
🟩 Green counties have the lowest risk of endemics. They must continue to take proactive measures against COVID-19 to prevent any lapses in preventative measures and ensure the safety of their citizens.