Posted on by Brendan Birth

Coronavirus Update From New York City: April 15, 2021

Unfortunately, I have to start tonight’s post yet again in a downbeat manner.

Last weekend, my family lost a family friend to COVID.

It was devastating to learn this news. While it was my dad who knew this person far better than anyone else, it is news that affects all of us in one way or another.

The news also provided me with a somber reminder that nobody is truly invincible when it comes to this virus. This person was barely in her forties and had already received her first vaccine dose–two things that some people may mistakenly think are things going for this person. But nope. While some of us may like to or want to believe that this is a virus that mostly older persons get (not that it makes the disease any less serious because younger persons can carry the disease to older persons), or that this is a disease that makes you invincible even upon the first dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, such things are not the case.

Last, but not least, this death is yet another reminder that this pandemic is far from over. We may like to think that because vaccines are coming to us, the pandemic is coming to an end. While I hold some hope for the vaccines, we need more than vaccines–people need to stop the partying, the masklessness, and the lack of social distancing. People who continue to willfully ignore the public health guidance on COVID need to start caring for individuals other than themselves.

As for what numbers are like in my part of New York City this week, the test positivity rate is at 8.3%. That is actually relatively level compared to where the numbers were last week. Still, these numbers indicate that my part of New York City is far from being out of the woods with the virus, even if more people are getting vaccinated.

I guess the ultimate takeaway, between the news I have this week and the test positivity numbers I just said, is that even if some of us may want to be done with the virus, the virus is far from being done with us. Let’s continue to wear our masks, socially distance, and keep non-essential travel to a minimum.

16 Replies to “Coronavirus Update From New York City: April 15, 2021”

    1. Thanks for your condolences. You are right that we all have different experiences. Yet, at the same time, all of us should strive to follow the guidance laid by our local, state, and federal health officials.

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  7. Brendan, I saddened to learn of the loss of a family friend to COVID. As you say, it’s a reminder that this virus is not yet done with us. My younger son, who believes that the pandemic is overblown for political purposes, does not plan to get vaccinated and will soon be traveling to Alaska with friends for vacation. I fear for my safety on his return. Until we as a nation can agree on a united strategy to beat this virus, we’ll continue losing more of our loved ones to this virus.

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