In Rhode Island, How Survivable Is the Delta Variant for the Unvaccinated?
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Rhode Island is now experiencing increases in all COVID measures – number of new cases, new hospitalizations, and positive test rates. The risk level in Rhode Island has been increased to ‘High’ by covidactnow.org. Thanks to the Delta variant, new daily COVID cases in the U.S. are now double what they were just three weeks ago.
Many of those who have shunned COVID vaccines seem to think it is “99% survivable,” suggesting that vaccination is unnecessary. Since the risk of getting infected is now increasing, it might be useful to consider the example of the brother of a dear friend of mine, who recently “survived” COVID.
From the start of the pandemic, he was skeptical of the pandemic and against vaccination. In April 2020 he came down with COVID. He had a mild acute course of infection, which he described as being ‘no worse than a cold.' Afterward, hospitals sought him for his antibodies, which were being studied at the time for potential ‘convalescent antibody’ treatment. His experience strengthened his skepticism of the pandemic and snubbing of vaccines, both because he both thought that COVID was ‘no big deal,' and also because he believed he was now ‘immune’ and wouldn’t need a vaccine anyway.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn January of this year, less than 8 months after his first infection, he became infected with COVID a second time. This time his illness was much more severe. He was admitted to the hospital within a week of developing his symptoms, which progressed very fast.
He was recently released after spending 5 months in the hospital, including 111 days on a ventilator.
Over the 5 months of his infection, he had multiple blood clots. He is now disabled, partially paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair, has limited ability to speak, and is on supplemental oxygen. Without supplemental oxygen he gasps for air, his damaged lungs unable to take in enough to keep him alive.
Many survivors of such serious and long COVID infections have lungs so severely damaged and impaired in their ability to absorb oxygen that they could need supplemental oxygen for a long time (or have a lung transplant, which they may neither survive.
Many studies have shown that 50%-85% of COVID survivors can have long-term health problems.
This includes heart damage in 78% and inflammation of the heart in 60% of survivors, lung damage in up to half of the survivors, and permanent destruction of brain tissue, including cognitive impairment equivalent to aging your brain by ten years.
Most people may well ‘survive’ COVID, but it definitely is not like having a cold or the flu. Whether they realize it or not, many if not most people who have had COVID could have lingering, long-term health problems.
Being ‘young’ does not protect you from these problems. In the past month, over half of COVID cases in Rhode Island have been in those under age 29. This is no longer your grandparents’ disease. It’s yours.
One of the last things he asked for with his limited communications abilities before leaving the hospital was to be vaccinated. It was too late in his case. He could have avoided a lot of suffering if he had gotten vaccinated before all this happened. He is technically a survivor of COVID, but those who take comfort in ’99% survivable’ might want to consider this experience and what ’surviving’ could mean.
‘Survivable’ doesn’t mean the experience will be easy or fast, and it certainly doesn’t mean your life will return to normal afterward.
For millions of people like my friend’s brother, life after having COVID will never be the same again.
Nick Landekic is a retired scientist and biotechnology executive with over 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
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- In Rhode Island, How Survivable Is the Delta Variant for the Unvaccinated?
