To say the pandemic has dragged on longer than anyone anticipated would be the understatement of the decade. Today, there isn't just light at the end of the tunnel--we're standing close enough to need sunscreen.
80% of all those in Santa Clara County above 12 years old have now received at least their first vaccination dose. A whopping 71.2% have completed their vaccination. Both are impressive stats, but neither is the milestone I'm talking about.
Most experts agree that in order to hit herd immunity, at least 70% of the total population has to have some level of immunity (vaccination, antibodies, or a natural immunity). That is 70% of the entire population of all ages and demographics, not only those that are currently eligible for the vaccine. So far, no major country in the world has hit a total population vaccination rate of 70% yet. Canada is the closest at 65.92%, followed by Israel at 63.43% and the UK at 62.55%. The US as a whole is still only at 52.59%.
Here in Silicon Valley, 71.1% of the total population has received at least the first dose of the vaccine. That puts us in a very strong position, with the number of new cases and deaths dwindling to levels not seen since early 2020.
We can still do better, but bit by bit things are getting back to normal. Masks are no longer required in many places indoors if you're vaccinated, social distancing and capacity restrictions have been relaxed, and major events are coming back. It's been a long journey, but we're almost there.
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