Quote Originally Posted by dado potato View Post
I am not worried about Delta variant at present, because DW and I both are fully vaccinated. The rare breakthrough cases have not resulted in hospitalizations, I understand. But I do worry about unvaccinated people gathering in the hot spots (Utah and SW Missouri come mind). Later on, after schools start up, it seems highly likely there will be outbreaks in specific schools. Kids infected with the Delta variant will bring the virus home after school, I imagine. So 3 and 6 months from now I fear the cases per 100,000 will be higher.

I would not be complacent about the death rates per 100,000. As of July 13, 2021 the 10 states with the highest death rates are:
NJ 298
NY 275
MA 261
RI 258
MS 250
AZ 248
AL 233
CT 232
LA 233
SD 230

For what it's worth, the party affiliations of the governors of the 10 states with the highest death rates at present are Republican (5) and Democratic (5) equally.
Not on the list, despite the high number of elderly in the state, and despite the lack of mask mandates, and despite people traveling there to avoid restrictions in their own states and have a good time - Florida.

Massachusetts which is third highest had very strenuous regulations, including a mandate that you wear a mask when walking by yourself in the middle of the woods.

You think maybe masks aren't that effective?