I just did some research and here are some numbers on Oklahoma's vax rate:

Population over 18: 3,003,341
Fully vaccinated population: 914,183

Percentage of Oklahoma adults that is fully vaccinated: 30.4%.



We've still got a very long way to go to reach that 70% threshold which is generally acknowledged as the required level for herd immunity.


Is there a definition for how big or small a, uh, "herd" has to be in the herd immunity? And is there any data for the percentage of smaller segments of the OK population (like OKC and Tulsa metros alone)?

Not really trying to make a point, just want to understand at what point you define a population of a certain size having herd immunity. If the US gets to 70% vaccinated but OK stays below that, would someone in OKC be able to claim "herd immunity" as part of the US (I'm guessing not)?

If the OKC and/or Tulsa metros (or other individual towns or cities) individually reach the 70% mark could they claim herd immunity even if the remainder of the state is well below? If the larger population (whatever that is) hits 70% but a large ballroom is filled with only 30% vaccinated individuals is that now a danger? Smaller rooms or groups?

Again not trying to make any kind of point. To be clear as many people need to be vaccinated as possible. I'm just curious from an individual's perspective how much of WHAT needs to be 70% vaccinated to reach herd immunity for that person, if that makes sense, or maybe I'm just overthinking it.

I believe the idea is that without any other containment efforts, real herd immunity for something like COVID would be 70% immunity rate of the world's population. Without that, it would just mean your risk varies by location, much in the same way it would in the scenarios you laid out.

If you somehow could isolate a community that is 70% immune, then there'd be some sort of uniform immunity for that "herd", but everything changes for the group when someone from the outside enters it, and it would change for an individual when they leave that group.

So, the 70% number isn't based on the size of the herd, just the immunity rate of any given herd. Since this is a world wide pandemic, effectively the entire world is the herd. Yes, you're at a lot less risk in a place like New Zealand right now, but that's only because they haven't let you (or anyone) from the outside hang with their herd.

^

I would think 'herd' is the group that you interact with and live amongst.

I'm sure there would be a significant risk if Oklahoma City if we only reached 50% and the national average was to hit 70%. That would mean a very high percentage of people would be vaccinated in places where none of us live. And in turn, that would somewhat offset the well-vaccinated communities because those from low-vax communities still travel around and move.

So, you can never completely get it under control.

It's exactly why certain countries require specific vaccinations before you enter and why the U.S. is not going to just throw international travel open, especially in and out of countries with low vax rates.

It's exactly why certain countries require specific vaccinations before you enter and why the U.S. is not going to just throw international travel open, especially in and out of countries with low vax rates.

And there are so many different ways that different diseases spread, so some are easy to contain to a certain climate or ecosystem, requiring you to be vaccinated for those diseases based on geography alone.

COVID-19 has proven to be fairly persistent in any climate and spreads very easily in poorly ventilated areas. The high degree of asymptomatic transmission complicates it further.

It is truly different than anything the world has experienced in 100 years. The irony is that we are incredibly fortunate that the vaccine technology that was developed over the last couple of decades has brought about the possibility of containing it so quickly. That's what makes it so disappointing that many refuse to participate in that effort. And, as you have pointed out, the sad part is that a lot of the hesitancy is not really from the sort of "Jenny McCarthy" type anti-vax crowd, but are people motivated as much or more by the weird politics of all this.

I think it would help some if people seen and heard the real numbers. This is just an example. 310 cases today. Out of those 310 cases 1 was a break thru case. Or 1,100 case reported last week in Oklahoma only 5 of the cases were fully vaccinated people 35 deaths last week 0 from vaccinated people. Hearing something like that might just might say to some people hum maybe I will get the shot.

On a side note :https://www.kentucky.com/news/coronavirus/article250862594.html The main take away from the story. Still, though they tested positive, vaccinated people “were significantly less likely to experience symptoms or require hospitalization,” authors of the study wrote.

There’s obviously a Venn Diagram element to Herd Immunity. Oklahoma is way above 30% when you consider all of the current and past infections + vaccinations.

There’s obviously a Venn Diagram element to Herd Immunity. Oklahoma is way above 30% when you consider all of the current and past infections + vaccinations.And we're around 40% in first shots. I think it's pretty safe to assume that if someone gets the first they intend to get the second. Plus the natural antibody people you mentioned.
Just one case in point. I know of one person that was not "ever" going to get vaccinated. A relative tested positive so he had to get tested. He was an completely asymptomatic positive. So for some period of time, about 5 months from personal experience, he will have antibodies.

304 new cases today; 7-day rolling average 241.

9 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 11.7.

Hospitalizations are 205 (+2).

ICU is 55 (+5).

"Patrick Spencer (@made4tv): #covid19 @HealthyOklahoma reporting 137 "breakthrough" cases - COVID cases reported post vaccine. 9 were hospitalized. 1 person has died. That death is under investigation. It is important to point out these numbers are low considering 1m + Oklahomans are fully vaccinated. @kfor"

From Twitter

Man alive are the vaccines good, those numbers are crazy.

So what do y'all think of health-care workers refusing to get vaccinated? Should ER nurses and doctors (and EMTs) that don't get vaccinated still be allowed to keep working in ERs and ambulances? How about regular nurses and doctors - if they don't get vaccinated, should they still be allowed to keep working?

^

Lots of employers (and universities) are requiring vaccination and for good reason.

I would expect most of those in the health care industry to be under such mandates.

If it is a private business/university/hospital then they can make it part of being employed. I believe (and could be wrong) that since the vaccines are EUA that public institutions can't require them. At least that is what OU and OSU say, and I would guess they have had their lawyers looks into that.

Although it is not the case for public universities in Oklahoma to require vaccines, other public schools like Rutgers and all in the state of California have made mandates.

"Patrick Spencer (@made4tv): #covid19 @HealthyOklahoma reporting 137 "breakthrough" cases - COVID cases reported post vaccine. 9 were hospitalized. 1 person has died. That death is under investigation. It is important to point out these numbers are low considering 1m + Oklahomans are fully vaccinated. @kfor"

From Twitter

I think I have been saying push this narrative. Show people how good the numbers are but I bet you won't hear much about it at all on the news.

I think I have been saying push this narrative. Show people how good the numbers are but I bet you won't hear much about it at all on the news.

To have any real effect, the narrative has to be pushed by the media sources the never-vaxxers pay attention to.

To the discussion on the last page about convincing hesitant or resistant folks to get the vaccine, DowntownMan is 100% right that calling them names will not help. Now, expressing frustration with them on a message is fine as it is frustrating. They’re going to keep this pandemic going and hurt everyone else. I get mad about it too.

But, if you do know vaccine hesitant people, don’t demean them or overwhelm them. You should listen to them, try to correct misinformation, and find common areas of concern. Some people (who are misinformed) will say they won’t get the vaccine for health reason. Start by empathizing with that concern because being careful about personal health is reasonable. Then explain why getting the vaccine was a personal health decision you made. Just sharing your own perspective is less threatening. Anyway, the point is, if you are in a position to change someone’s mind, most evidence suggests that being empathetic and nonjudgmental is the best route.

To the discussion on the last page about convincing hesitant or resistant folks to get the vaccine, DowntownMan is 100% right that calling them names will not help. Now, expressing frustration with them on a message is fine as it is frustrating. They’re going to keep this pandemic going and hurt everyone else. I get mad about it too.

But, if you do know vaccine hesitant people, don’t demean them or overwhelm them. You should listen to them, try to correct misinformation, and find common areas of concern. Some people (who are misinformed) will say they won’t get the vaccine for health reason. Start by empathizing with that concern because being careful about personal health is reasonable. Then explain why getting the vaccine was a personal health decision you made. Just sharing your own perspective is less threatening. Anyway, the point is, if you are in a position to change someone’s mind, most evidence suggests that being empathetic and nonjudgmental is the best route.

I think a lot of hold outs are solely because of the emergency use vaccine and they see that they are still told to wear masks and distance so lots say why should I take it if I still must keep doing this. I think employers and businesses that are able should try to incentivize people with less restrictions if you’re vaccinated which might spur those to see a incentive. Like stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot have their announcements saying still wear a mask if you’re vaccinated. That doesn’t encourage the holdouts. They want to less restrictive rules if they have vaccine. Although we’re probably about to not have many places require masks so we will not have that to incentivize them

I think a lot of hold outs are solely because of the emergency use vaccine and they see that they are still told to wear masks and distance so lots say why should I take it if I still must keep doing this. I think employers and businesses that are able should try to incentivize people with less restrictions if you’re vaccinated which might spur those to see a incentive. Like stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot have their announcements saying still wear a mask if you’re vaccinated. That doesn’t encourage the holdouts. They want to less restrictive rules if they have vaccine. Although we’re probably about to not have many places require masks so we will not have that to incentivize them

Yep. Hate to say it but if you want to go to a concert this summer you need to show proof a vaccination. A baseball game show proof. There is a team not sure which one kind of already doing that with vaccination sections. Seeing people on tv wearing mask outdoors don't help either. All you hear is cases are rising. Well then why get the shot if it's going to have no effect and cases are still rising and people are still dying.

What good has the shot done for me. I still can't go to a Thunder Game. There still no concerts to go too. No large gatherings to speak of that are indoors and if there is they are limiting people. The Casinos are still limiting people on busy nights. Well that might not be the case it was a while ago not sure now but i hope you get my point.

And before you all rip into me. I'm single work in a private office my family doesn't live close and even though I'm in my early 50s I don't come in contact with valuable population. So really there was no need for me to get the shot but I did anyway

The negative count total is still increasing greatly daily from my quick glance at the last week. So I’d say testing is still heavily occurring. Not probably to levels it was but our percent positive is much lower

How did the positive percentage rate change after the change in the prc testing procedure?

Yes, I agree that it’s important for people to see the benefits of getting vaccinated too. I disagree that vaccination proof for outdoor events like a minor baseball game is necessary. I’m not sure why big events like concerts (let’s keep having them outdoors for a bit longer) and games are the only benefits. Since being fully vaccinated I’ve started doing lots of things I didn’t do before and feeling more comfortable with other things. After a year without, I’m now riding public transportation, going to the gym (masks required the entire time), and feeling more comfortable on restaurant/bar patios. It’s been great. And I don’t mind continuing to wear a mask at all when around other people.

Some of the town halls and small groups that have even done with vaccine hesitant people seems to indicate that there wasn’t many who changed their minds after being told about the benefits when that message came from politicians. This included politicians on the same political spectrum.

What did change their mind was calm rational discussion by actual health scientists who were able to explain things and answer their questions.

We are planning on doing a town hall Q&A with my congregation, with a couple of us healthcare workers providing judgement free education and answers to concerns.

Some of the town halls and small groups that have even done with vaccine hesitant people seems to indicate that there wasn’t many who changed their minds after being told about the benefits when that message came from politicians. This included politicians on the same political spectrum.

What did change their mind was calm rational discussion by actual health scientists who were able to explain things and answer their questions.

We are planning on doing a town hall Q&A with my congregation, with a couple of us healthcare workers providing judgement free education and answers to concerns.

Great! This is the kind of messaging that is needed. Get them in a comfortable setting and don’t shove it at them but help ease them into being comfortable with it.

Yes, I agree that it’s important for people to see the benefits of getting vaccinated too. I disagree that vaccination proof for outdoor events like a minor baseball game is necessary. I’m not sure why big events like concerts (let’s keep having them outdoors for a bit longer) and games are the only benefits. Since being fully vaccinated I’ve started doing lots of things I didn’t do before and feeling more comfortable with other things. After a year without, I’m now riding public transportation, going to the gym (masks required the entire time), and feeling more comfortable on restaurant/bar patios. It’s been great. And I don’t mind continuing to wear a mask at all when around other people.

Exactly. I'm a few weeks post my 2-weeks vax date, and the wife and I have gone out to dinner twice and went to a jazz show that was limited attendance and spaced out tables. We still wore masks, but neither of those outings would have happened a year ago. I've also had multiple gatherings with my close family and I've been able to visit and hug my grandmother. There are real solid benefits to being vaccinated that you can experience, while still being safe and wearing a mask around others.

Press release:

***************

Businesses, others retain right to require masks as Oklahoma City mask ordinance expires April 30
04/26/2021

There will still be places in Oklahoma City where masks are required even after the mask ordinance expires on April 30.

The ordinance expires at 12 a.m. Friday, with no proposed extension on Tuesday’s City Council meeting agenda.

But, like longstanding “no shirt, no shoes: no service” rights, everyone in Oklahoma City may require mask use on their own property. That includes all businesses, public and private organizations, property owners and leaseholders.

“We’re just reminding everyone that they still need to wear a mask in places where they’re required, or choose to go somewhere else,” said City Manager Craig Freeman. “There will be places to shop and gather that require masks, and places that don’t. We’re hopefully on the exit ramp for this pandemic. It’s more important than ever to show each other respect and grace as we navigate the spring and summer.”

Public health officials still recommend wearing masks in situations where it’s difficult to stay 6 feet apart from people outside your household.

People who are lawfully asked to leave private or public spaces, but refuse, are subject to citation and arrest for trespassing. Call 911 to report it to the Police Department.

Everyone age 16+ is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Appointments are available across the metro and state:

vaxokc.com
vaccinate.oklahoma.gov
Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Sam's Club and other pharmacies.
IMMY Labs
vaccinefinder.org (affiliated with the CDC)
Tribal vaccination sites and other locations.
Call 2-1-1 if you need help getting an appointment.

Visit covid19.okc.gov for the latest on the coronavirus in Oklahoma City.

728 new cases for the last 3 days; last Monday the number was 787 and the one before that 968. 7-day rolling average continues to go down at 233.

23 additional reported deaths for the 3-day period; 7-day rolling average is 12.0.

Hospitalizations are 202 (-3).

ICU is 52 (-3).


Good news all the way around, especially after the concern over relaxed masking, crowded restaurants and bars and spring break. Hopefully the downward trends continue.

The J&J vaccine was resumed today in Oklahoma and several other states.

It seems we are moving fast to the point where vaccine supply will exceed demand, at least in the U.S.


Lots of other countries -- like Brazil and India -- are in their worst shape of the pandemic.

The J&J vaccine was resumed today in Oklahoma and several other states.

It seems we are moving fast to the point where vaccine supply will exceed demand, at least in the U.S.


Lots of other countries -- like Brazil and India -- are in their worst shape of the pandemic.

US is giving their AstraZeneca supply to other countries. I guess it was determined it isn’t needed here at this time and other places have authorized it’s use where as US had not

There is also plans underway to allow non-essential travel from the U.S. to the European Union countries.

Will likely require proof of vaccine and the U.S. will probably do the same for incoming travelers.

16833
The 124 per 100k was 151 per 100k a couple weeks ago.
Also, below this on the site are graphs of all 50 states and DC. A couple of weeks age there were 14 states with their 14 day new case average rising. Today there are 5.

Oklahoma Vaccination rates are already slowly dropping.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/26/politics/west-virginia-savings-bonds-vaccinated/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/26/politics/west-virginia-savings-bonds-vaccinated/index.htmlGood for WV. I know there are studies that say incentives for vaccinations is bad but I don't care. If it gets shots in arms that otherwise might not get shots I'm for it.

Good for WV. I know there are studies that say incentives for vaccinations is bad but I don't care. If it gets shots in arms that otherwise might not get shots I'm for it.

Well, the argument is that it could backfire and cause less shots in arms... but, it's probably worth letting West Virginia try it out and see what happens. Maybe it will work, at least on certain groups.

Well, the argument is that it could backfire and cause less shots in arms... but, it's probably worth letting West Virginia try it out and see what happens. Maybe it will work, at least on certain groups.When we reach a plateau where everyone planning on getting the shot has had it then I don't see how trying anything to get more people to buy in could be a bad thing. And many states shot volumes are decreasing.

115 new cases today (75 last Tuesday and 109 the week before); 7-day rolling average 238.

1 additional reported death; 7-day rolling average 12.3.

Hospitalizations are 181 (-21).

ICU is 54 (+2).

249 new cases today; last Wed was 238 and 406 the week before. 7-day rolling average 240.

13 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 7.3

Hospitalizations are 183 (+2).

ICU is unchanged at 54.

249 new cases today; last Wed was 238 and 406 the week before. 7-day rolling average 240.

13 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 7.3

Hospitalizations are 183 (+2).

ICU is unchanged at 54.

Thank you for posting these Pete. You are doing a good public service.

The CDC Is Still Repeating Its Mistakes: The agency’s new guidelines are too timid and too complicated by Zeynep Tufekci

Link (hyperlink isn’t working for me): https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/04/cdc-outdoor-mask-pandemic/618739/

This article provides some clarity around the CDC’s new guidelines.

https://www.necn.com/news/coronavirus/milwaukee-bucks-offering-covid-vaccine-to-fans-at-sundays-home-game-against-nets/2455906/ What ever it takes.

249 new cases today; last Wed was 238 I sometimes slightly question how the numbers are so close to one another week after week. I'm sure i'm the only one on this board but yes 50% have had one shot and yes many of have covid but within 11 cases this week compared to last week? What are the odds? Out of the whole state of Oklahoma what are the odds only 11 more people would test positive this week vs last week?

It’s statistically insignificant

Most people who want a vaccine have gotten a vaccine, so the number of vaccinations are going to slow down.

We are not at a point where we could draw a Venn diagram of people who are not vaccinated yet, and people who think Covid restrictions aren’t needed. The pool of unvaccinated people at risk for infection is getting smaller, but that smaller pool is behaving more irresponsibly. If you add in the general pandemic fatigue that is causing even cautious people to become more relaxed with precautions, it isn’t that surprising that numbers are stagnating right now.

The state was at risk of beginning the next wave, but I honestly think we were able to stay just ahead of it with our vaccination efforts.

249 new cases today; last Wed was 238 I sometimes slightly question how the numbers are so close to one another week after week. I'm sure i'm the only one on this board but yes 50% have had one shot and yes many of have covid but within 11 cases this week compared to last week? What are the odds? Out of the whole state of Oklahoma what are the odds only 11 more people would test positive this week vs last week?
The 2 Wednesdays before that were 464 and 406. You just pulled two Wednesdays that were close to suggest an issue that isn't an issue.

So in a month we have dropped from 464 to 249. Just seems like it would be a bigger spread out of 3.9 million people.

So in a month we have dropped from 464 to 249. Just seems like it would be a bigger spread out of 3.9 million people.

Half makes sense. Half your population has a shot so is somewhat immune so your able hosts for the virus is cut in half

289 new cases today; last Thursday the number was 283, the week before 302. 7-day rolling average is 241.

5 additional reported deaths. 7-day rolling average 7.3.

Hospitalizations are 186 (+3).

ICU is 58 (+4).

289 new cases today; last Thursday the number was 283, the week before 302. 7-day rolling average is 241.

5 additional reported deaths. 7-day rolling average 7.3.

Hospitalizations are 186 (+3).

ICU is 58 (+4).

Seems like this week and the last two are practically flat. We might be in a lull where this is what we see as normal for a while unless we get a lot more vaccinated.

Half makes sense. Half your population has a shot so is somewhat immune so your able hosts for the virus is cut in halfHalf the daily cases is just going back a couple of weeks. What we've really done is dropped new cases a little over 90% from our January peak with only half the population at least partially vaccinated. And that's with bars & restaurants getting busier and many people being done with precautions. Plus supposedly more contagious variants circulating. Seems like something is going right.

Seems like this week and the last two are practically flat. We might be in a lull where this is what we see as normal for a while unless we get a lot more vaccinated.

I agree with you. However 304 cases last Friday I'll bet the number will be 321 tomorrow and that just seems odd to me that the numbers all week long have been so close. What are the odds of around 200-300 people testing positive everyday for 2. Maybe only the sick are getting tested. Same can go for Hospitalizations. We been hovering around 200 now for a month. Are the same about of people being admitted that are going out or of those 200 how many have been in there for 2 or 3 weeks?

I had a doctor's appointment at Mercy Neuro building this morning. At their vac clinic there were some people but not alot. It looked like they could have done walk ins but appointment only. I spoke to my doctor who agrees that I should at least wait since with my social distancing and no higher risk activities or rather rarely out, I am very low risk of getting covid. I do hope many of those who can safely get vaccinated do so. I keeps those of us who should not safer. Thank you to all those who have.

I agree with you. However 304 cases last Friday I'll bet the number will be 321 tomorrow and that just seems odd to me that the numbers all week long have been so close. What are the odds of around 200-300 people testing positive everyday for 2. Maybe only the sick are getting tested. Same can go for Hospitalizations. We been hovering around 200 now for a month. Are the same about of people being admitted that are going out or of those 200 how many have been in there for 2 or 3 weeks?

This is how the front end and back end of a bell curve works. The difference between the data points become smaller.

The OKC mask ordinance expires at midnight tonight.

Will be very interesting to see which businesses still require them.

I suspect most of the national chains have already dropped the mandate.

I think Edmond has benefitted from the OKC mandate, in that many of the businesses felt comfortable keeping their requirements, since OKC still had theirs. I hope that more businesses in Edmond don't suddenly drop their mask requirements as well. I've still seen a fairly decent rate of compliance at Crest and such, but I'm worried it will go away rather quickly. I expect the OKC mandate ending could have a cascade effect on the entire metro, in terms of compliance.

^

I'd say about 50% of the people I now see in OKC have already stopped wearing masks in stores and restaurants, so I expect almost no one will from tomorrow on.

374 new cases today. Last 4 Fridays: 304, 273, 416, 372. 7-day rolling average 251; it has been trending slightly upward this week.

15 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 8.1.

Hospitalizations are unchanged at 186.

ICU is 48 (-10).

I was at an event in Film Row last night and maybe only 10% of the people attending had a mask on. When talking to people, most people had brought a mask, but forwent wearing it when they saw others without one. Groupthink is wild.

I was at an event in Film Row last night and maybe only 10% of the people attending had a mask on. When talking to people, most people had brought a mask, but forwent wearing it when they saw others without one. Groupthink is wild.

Yes I went to a luncheon a couple of weeks ago; it was an OU football thing in Norman.

Probably 200 people in the room and zero masks.

I really think this whole practice is going to come to a screeching halt within the next week.

Yes I went to a luncheon a couple of weeks ago; it was an OU football thing in Norman.

Probably 200 people in the room and zero masks.

I really think this whole practice is going to come to a screeching halt within the next week.

How do you mean? OKC mask ordinance ends.

How do you mean? OKC mask ordinance ends.

I mean starting tomorrow when the ordinance expires, almost no businesses will require masks even though they have every right to do so.

And people will just completely stop wearing them.