New Coronavirus Cases Dropping in America… Is It a Mirage?

A polar vortex sent record-breaking cold air over the Midwest. A major snowstorm dropped nearly three feet of snow on the East Coast. Both these events overshadowed the pandemic earlier this month. But only for a week. 

Now the coronavirus is front and center again. Today I want to provide an update on the biggest news story of 2020. And what will probably end up being the biggest news story of 2021.

On January 8, the number of new confirmed cases in the U.S. peaked at 300,594. As of February 4, we dropped to 126,842. Still far too many, but a significant decrease nonetheless.

There have now been 26.7 million confirmed cases in America. And more than 456,000 deaths.

Valley Could Become Mountain 

The reduction in new cases is good news. But reasons for the drop may not produce much optimism.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been ebbs and flows. Infection surges climb to previously unseen heights. Then they settle back to prior levels or lower.

It’s possible we are currently in a valley that may soon turn into another mountain. Especially with virus variants coming into play.

Leading the downward trend of new infections has been the Midwest. A number of states have much lower rates of infection than just prior to Thanksgiving. Including Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Plus Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota.

States where new cases are either remaining constant or rising include Vermont and Hawaii. As well as Virginia, Mississippi and New Hampshire. Plus Oklahoma, Delaware and Florida.

More Vaccinated Than Infected

Federal projections for vaccine distribution in January fell short. Mainly due to shots being limited mostly to hospitals. And other institutional healthcare settings. They have picked up recently with the addition of pharmacies and health clinics.   

As of February 4, more than 36.7 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been administered in the U.S.

That means more people have received the vaccine than have tested positive for the virus. Within one recent week, 1.34 million doses were administered.

At this rate, it will take about 11 months for 75 percent of the population to receive the two-dose vaccine. Assuming that many people will choose to get it.

Will Normalcy Ever Get Here?

One of the questions many ask is, “When will we return to normal?” No one knows the answer. It’s possible we’ll have to adapt to a “new normal.

That might mean at least a portion of the population continuing to wear facemasks. It could mean fewer people dining out.

It could mean fewer people going to sporting events and concerts in arenas. It might mean many people continuing to opt for deliveries rather than going to stores. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci is the top infectious disease official in the country. He says 70 to 85 percent of the U.S. population would need to be vaccinated to enable a return to normalcy.

4.5 Million Vaccines Given Daily

But there is also the world population to consider. Once things get closer to normal, international travel will certainly increase.

Globally, there are 4.5 million vaccination doses administered on a daily basis.

It would take approximately seven years to cover 75 percent of the world’s population at that rate. At least with a two-dose vaccine.

In the meantime, many new cases could occur in America. Due to infected international travelers circulating here.

One-Dose Vaccine Seeks Approval

Only two vaccines have been approved for emergency use in the U.S. – Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Both require two doses and very cold refrigeration.

Johnson & Johnson has been working on a vaccine that would require only one dose. And standard refrigeration.

The company has asked the Food and Drug Administration for emergency approval. Their vaccine showed 66 percent efficacy in a global trial. And 85 percent efficacy against severe disease.

Another vaccine, produced by Novavax, showed an efficacy of 89.3 percent. But not against one of the new variants of the virus. Then it dropped to 49 to 60 percent.

In Europe, regulators have authorized the AstraZeneca vaccine for adults. Despite the lack of data of its efficacy in older adults.

Canada Imposes Strict Travel Restrictions

Stringent travel regulations exist in some parts of the world. In Canada, all returning travelers are required to take a coronavirus test at an airport.

Then they must quarantine at a designated hotel for three days. Until their results arrive. This costs the average traveler about $2,000. 

Even those with negative test results must quarantine at home. With “significantly” increased surveillance. Those testing positive are quarantined in government facilities.

France has closed its borders to travelers from outside the European Union. Although some will be allowed to enter for “compelling reasons.” 

Regulations Being Lifted

In other areas, including in the U.S., some restrictions are being rolled back. Indoor dining was expected to reopen at 25 percent capacity on February 14 in New York City.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation rolling back all coronavirus restrictions on businesses. Including mask requirements and gathering limits.

Stay-at-home orders were lifted in California, now that intensive care capacity is growing. Many restaurants are allowed to have outdoor dining again.

Bars and restaurants in Michigan are open again now. Although capacity is limited to 25 percent and curfews are set at 10 p.m.

Will the lifting of restrictions cause another surge? Or does this mean we’re turning a corner? Stay tuned.

Comments

  • Henry Stuckey - February 22, 2021

    I’m having a hard time believing how readily we are allowing ourselves to be manipulated into lockdowns, quarantines, and other draconian measures when the “science” surrounding this so-called pandemic appears to be so sketchy. Five issues stand out to me: Censorship, total Mortality, masks, lack of accountability for vaccine makers, and PCR Testing.
    By far the biggest hurdle is the censorship. Dissent is being censored at an alarming rate; credible doctors and researchers are being maligned, censored, and otherwise punished for expressing an alternate view. Even a President of the United States had his social media accounts shut down. There is clearly more to this “pandemic” than we’re being told in our mainstream media. The damage being done by the draconian measures being widely imposed is becoming more visible and alarming each passing day. I think we can make up our own minds regarding our individual risks and chosen remedies, given access to all data and views. We do not need a single government interpreter dictating or even mandating our individual choices. Remember, those who chose to relinquish their liberties for (the illusion of) safety will ultimately lose both.
    Total mortality for all known causes is not out of line with prior years, in spite of the fact that deaths “with” covid are being counted as deaths “by” covid.
    The masks being used will not stop a virus; viruses are much too small and the interstices in the masks much too large to be effective. However, the masks do have health downsides: they catch and thus recirculate bacteria being ejected by the lungs, they restrict the intake of oxygen which in turn reduces the effectiveness of one’s immune system, not to mention the social and psychological concerns.
    Anyone challenging the new Vaccines is automatically branded “anti-vaccine” and vilified, in spite of the fact that. since the 1986 VAERS act, vaccine makers have NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER for damages caused by their product, hence no real incentive for safety testing. The introduction of the novel mRNA vaccines, which have so far not shown a stellar safety record, is of particular concern, since they are not actually “approved”, but “approved for emergency use”. What is our recourse in the event of injury caused by this vaccine? The Vaccine Court makes it exceedingly difficult to obtain compensation for injuries caused by existing vaccines. Note that any compensation awarded is funded by our tax dollars, not by the company that created the vaccine.
    Regarding testing, as I’m sure you are aware, the PCR test on which case counts are based was not designed to be a test for corona viruses or any other virus. It was designed by Kary Mullis as a tool used to amplify the presence of a specific genetic sequence. An article on HIV by By John Lauritsen appearing in New York Native, 9 Dec. 1996, entitled HAS PROVINCETOWN BECOME PROTEASE TOWN? states "With regard to the viral load tests, which attempt to use PCR for counting viruses, Mullis has stated: “Quantitative PCR is an oxymoron.” PCR is intended to identify substances qualitatively, but by its very nature is unsuited for estimating numbers. Although there is a common misimpression that the viral load tests actually count the number of viruses in the blood, these tests cannot detect free, infectious viruses at all; they can only detect proteins that are believed, in some cases wrongly, to be unique to HIV (or any other virus – my comment). The tests can detect genetic sequences of viruses, but not viruses themselves.’" To further complicate the testing issue, the results sought can be dependent on the number of “cycles” specified for the PCR test; more cycles means higher amplification means more likelihood of detecting the sequence being amplified. The results can be manipulated by simply changing the number of “cycles” of amplification to be run. Further, is the sequence being amplified specific to Covid-19, or would any corona or other bit of genetic information be amplified as well? I have yet to see a credible presentation demonstrating that the sequence being amplified is the actual and only “cause” of the symptoms being observed.
    Something certainly is the cause, and I’d like to think we had actually identified it specifically before being subjected to a so-called “vaccine” that has not actually been approved, and which has been touted to actually modify our DNA!
    In short, what is being foisted upon us is an untested fast-tracked non-vaccine by companies with no liability for damages and funded by taxpayer dollars in an environment that tolerates no dissent – a clear recipe for disaster.

  • Terry Erwin - February 19, 2021

    Just an FYI I have 80 acres surrounded by BLM and forest service no one with it several miles . Raise my own beef,pork, chicken etc . I have an great garden. I am building a green house. I have three under ground springs. 100percent off grid. Solar panels, back up generator. Everything you need to survive. Just ordered some food for emergency emergency Set up for most anything

  • Im4freedom - February 19, 2021

    Dr Fauci originally said masks don’t work and now he is saying wear two masks? The reason that the numbers are dropping is because they were over magnifying the pcr test. The WHO just came out and said that over magnification caused many false positive covid results in the covid tests.

  • Melissa Olin - February 18, 2021

    Very frightening article. Quarantining in Government fa cities? Death camps? Re-education Camps?
    I wouldn’t go!

  • Owens Robert - February 18, 2021

    Thank you for very clear reporting. It was an excellent and informative .

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