COVID-19 Infection Rates and Hospitalization Are Going Down in Minnesota

[MineralMan]

Dramatically. After a terrible surge after Thanksgiving, things were getting really bad in the state, but they didn't jump after the Christmas holiday season. Why?

I think people here finally got it and started masking up and following distancing protocols. It's not the vaccine, because there hasn't been enough of it here. I've noticed fewer and fewer unmasked people recently.

Further, case loads, deaths, and infection rates in Minnesota started going sharply down after it was clear Biden would be President.

Now that vaccinations are slowly becoming more available, people seem to be figuring out that there might be an end in sight to this, and are eager to get vaccinated. Even though vaccine supplies are not terrific, people seem to understand that the situation will improve soon. The state has set up a registration system, now, and is using that list to randomly select people as doses are available, so they can make appointments for vaccination without the rush and crowds every time another shipment comes in. I just registered. I may also be notified of a vaccination program by my Medicare Advantage plan that I can schedule.

What I think is happening is a shift in mood, now that Trump is no longer obstructing COVID-19 plans. I think I sense a new optimism about the pandemic out there, at least in Minnesota.

[soothsayer]

1. Excellent news

[Wounded Bear]

2. Some badly needed good news...nt

[MineralMan]

3. Yes. I hope similar things are happening in other states, as well.

[Wounded Bear]

4. I think the post Xmas spike might be plateauing, at least...

IAE, vaccines are getting out, though slowly.

[Wellstone ruled]

5. Yesterday was a good day for Minny.

Good sized drop in positive cases. And yes,people may be getting the hint,mask up and keep your distance if you don't want to ending up at the funeral home down the street.

Here in Vegas,if your watch live streaming Video of the Strip as well as Freemont,you will see way to many running around maskless as well as crowding . And the Casino's seem to be willing to pay the OSHA fines rather than enforce occupancy or Mask rules.

[MineralMan]

6. It's going to be a long time before I return to Vegas.

My wife and I met there, at a trade show. We returned to that same trade show every year after that, until COMDEX stopped happening. We love visiting the city, but there's not a chance we'll go there until the pandemic is no longer a factor.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. Vegas is in full change mode.

With Adelson gone,things are about to change from a Family oriented venue to a wide open younger more techie crowd. With 13.4 Billion in new Casino debt in recent months just on the strip,something will happen to service that debt.

The Conventions most likely will be back up and running by October,local news has been talking about how the Casino Operators are pushing the boundaries and watching the fall out. Weekend Crowds have been increasing in size with every passing week,which is scary in it's self,mostly California visitors.

Hoping to do a August visit to Minny one last time.

[roamer65]

8. Many people have self isolated.

I know snowbirds that stayed home this year. Smart move.

Self isolation was already happening in MI back in early 2020 before the lockdowns hit. Let’s see what happens in spring when people wanna go out.

[Massacure]

9. Minnesota cases did jump after the Christmas Holiday season

The 7 day moving average bottomed out at 1557/day on December 31 and peaked at 2290/day on January 8 before starting a decline again. That jump is much smaller than that one that happened in early November though, and to your point; Minnesota hasn't seen infections this low since October.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/usa/minnesota/